FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee provisionally suspended Luis Rubiales, head of the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF), for a duration of 90 days. This decision came amid controversy after Rubiales was seen grabbing player Jenni Hermoso’s head and kissing her on the lips following Spain’s victory at the Women’s World Cup.
Although Rubiales was expected to announce his resignation on Friday, he chose not to step down. Despite Hermoso’s statement that she did not consent to the kiss, the RFEF backed Rubiales and even threatened legal action to support him.
FIFA stated, “The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee… has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level.”
In addition, the committee directed Rubiales, RFEF officials, and employees to refrain from contacting or attempting to contact Hermoso or anyone associated with her.
Various players, including members of the Spanish national team that won the World Cup, declared that they would not participate in international matches as long as Rubiales remained the head of the federation.
The disciplinary committee communicated this decision
Meanwhile, the disciplinary committee communicated this decision to Rubiales, RFEF, and UEFA, of which Rubiales is a vice president.
The RFEF, in a statement released early on Saturday, affirmed its support for Rubiales and stated its intention to demonstrate that there have been falsehoods spread about the incident involving Hermoso. It announced that it would initiate appropriate legal actions to defend Rubiales’ reputation.
Hermoso, in the same statement, contradicted Rubiales’ assertion that the kiss was consensual. She clarified, “I want to clarify that, as was seen in the images, at no time did I consent to the kiss he gave me and, of course, in no case did I seek to lift the president.”
The intention is to counteract the lies through evidence and legal action. It mentioned that they would refute the claims either made by the player herself or on her behalf.
The statement was accompanied by four photos from the event, demonstrating Rubiales’ claim that Hermoso lifted him by the hips.
Sponsors upset
However, Two sponsors of the women’s team expressed their support for the players in response to the recent incident.
Iberia, the flag carrier and part of the International Consolidated Airlines Group stated, “Iberia supports the appropriate and pertinent measures that must be taken to preserve the rights and dignity of athletes when offensive situations occur, inappropriate for a developed, modern, and egalitarian society such as Spain’s.”
Iberdrola, a power company, voiced their concern through the Spanish news agency EFE, saying, “We observe with great concern the situation which has developed in the past few days which has tarnished the great victory of the national team.”
At an emergency meeting of the federation on Friday, it had been widely anticipated that Rubiales would resign. Contrary to expectations, he reiterated his decision not to step down and criticized “false feminists” who were, in his view, attempting to undermine him.
Acting Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz deemed his speech “unacceptable” and emphasized that the government needed to take immediate action, asserting that impunity for actions driven by a male-centric attitude was no longer acceptable.
Gender-related issues have gained significant prominence in Spain in recent years, with large-scale street marches advocating against sexual abuse and violence. The Socialist-led coalition government has introduced legal reforms focusing on matters like equal pay, abortion, sex work, and transgender rights.
Rubiales’ comments and the supportive reaction he received from many attendees at the federation meeting on Friday were met with widespread derision on social media.
The English national team that had competed against Spain conveyed their support, stating, “We all stand with you, @jennihermoso, and all players of the Spanish team.”
