Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has suspended the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, for an initial 90-day period after he was criticized for a “surprise kiss.
“The Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Jorge Ivan Palacio, has provisionally suspended Mr. Rubiales’ powers in all areas related to football with effect from this date, in accordance with Article 51 of the Disciplinary Regulations,” FIFA said in a statement on Saturday.
“This measure applies not only to his activities in Spain but also to his international activities. It is effective from today and will last for 90 days, during which the disciplinary proceedings will take place.”
FIFA added that Rubiales was further ordered to stay away from his country’s women’s player, Henipher Hermoso, for the time being. Contact through third parties is also not allowed.
“This is a measure to protect Hermoso’s fundamental rights and to maintain order during the disciplinary proceedings,” FIFA said, adding that it would announce the final outcome of its investigation, including whether any disciplinary action will be taken, at a later date.
The disciplinary committee’s action has also been notified to the Spanish Football Federation and UEFA. Mr. Rubiales is also a UEFA vice-president.
Rubiales grabbed Hermoso’s face with both hands and kissed her during the award ceremony for the Spanish national team’s 2023 Women’s World Cup victory on Nov. 20.
Hermoso later revealed that she “didn’t feel good” after interacting with fans on social media, and Rubiales insisted that she had given her consent beforehand.
In response, more than 80 Spanish women’s soccer players, including Hermoso, the mainstay of the national team, announced their intention to boycott through the players’ union Futpro, and the political sphere and Primera Liga clubs have also joined the condemnation procession.
However, the Spanish Football Association said it has clear evidence that Hermoso’s statement that he never agreed to the kiss is false and warned of legal action. 파워볼