FIFA suspends Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales for unwanted kiss

August 26, 2023 1:56 p.m.

Kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women's World Cup could cost the president of the Spanish football federation Luis Rubiales his job.

Fifa suspended Rubiales on Saturday while its disciplinary committee investigates his conduct in the FIFA World Cup final. the Women's World Cup. The move comes after Rubiales refused to step down, despite intense pressure from the Spanish government, players, football clubs and officials.

Hermoso said she did not consent to the kiss, which took place during the team celebration on the field. The team's players have declared that they will not play any more matches as long as Rubiales is in charge.

FIFA has announced that it has removed Rubiales from his football duties for 90 days "pending disciplinary proceedings open" against him on Thursday. .

Spanish women's league president Beatriz Álvarez told The Associated Press that she thought that was the end. of Rubiales' football career. The league has filed one of several formal complaints against Rubiales that the Spanish government received last week.

"Luis Rubiales is finished. He dug his own grave with his deeds and words,” Álvarez said. "Whether because of the action of FIFA or the Spanish government, I am sure that Luis Rubiales will not spend another minute as president of the Spanish FA."

FIFA gave no timetable for a decision. The body's disciplinary judges can impose penalties ranging from warnings and fines to suspension from the sport.

Local media initially reported that Rubiales would announce his resignation at the federation's general assembly on Friday . Instead, he dug in, portraying himself as the victim of a "witch hunt" by "fake feminists" and receiving applause from a mostly male crowd.

Hermoso replied that Rubiales was lying about the kiss being consensual and that she had felt intimidated.

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