In a shocking turn of events, Luis Rubiales, the President of the Spanish FA, has been provisionally suspended by FIFA following his controversial conduct during the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney last weekend. Rubiales has adamantly refused to step down from his position, despite allegations of an unsolicited kiss on the lips of Jenni Hermoso, who has vehemently asserted that she did not give her consent. This incident has compelled FIFA to intervene.
“The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio (Colombia), in use of the powers granted by Article 51 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level.
“This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings opened against Mr. Luis Rubiales on Thursday, August 24.
“Likewise, the chairman of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee, in order to preserve, among other factors, the fundamental rights of the national soccer team player Ms. Jennifer Hermoso and the good order of the disciplinary proceedings before this disciplinary body, has issued two additional directives (article 7 FDC) by which he orders Mr. Luis Rubiales to refrain, through himself or third parties, from contacting or attempting to contact the professional player of the Spanish national football team, Ms. Jennifer Hermoso, or her close environment. Likewise, the RFEF and its officials or employees, directly or through third parties, are ordered to refrain from contacting the professional player of the Spanish national team, Ms. Jennifer Hermoso, and her close environment.
“The decision adopted by the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has been communicated today to Mr. Luis Rubiales, the RFEF, and UEFA for due compliance.”
Spanish Football Federation Contemplates Legal Action Against Hermoso Over Luis Rubiales Kiss Scandal
Amidst a growing controversy surrounding allegations of misconduct by its president, the Spanish Football Federation is considering legal action against Jenni Hermoso, the central figure in the dispute, on charges of falsehood and defamation. The Federation has also extended its legal threats to include the 79 women’s football players who collectively endorsed a letter refusing to represent their nation as long as Luis Rubiales retained his position.
In an official statement, the Federation asserted its intent to take necessary legal measures and emphasized that representing the national team is a responsibility that every member of the Federation is obliged to fulfill.
This development marks the latest episode in a swiftly evolving narrative triggered by an incident in which Rubiales kissed Hermoso following their World Cup triumph a week ago. Hermoso has publicly asserted that the kiss was non-consensual, leaving her feeling vulnerable and the victim of aggression.
In a statement, Hermoso emphatically stated, “At no time did I consent to the kiss. She continued, “I won’t tolerate having my word doubted, much less have people inventing things that I didn’t say.” Shortly after the incident, the Federation released a statement in which Hermoso purportedly expressed consent to the kiss and described a close relationship with Rubiales.
A report from the Madrid-based sports website Relevo suggested that the Federation had pressured Hermoso into making this statement. In another statement, Hermoso asserted, “I don’t want to interfere in the legal process but I feel obliged to report that the words used by Sr. Luis Rubiales to explain what happened are categorically untrue and are part of the manipulative culture that he himself has created. I have not been respected.”
The Federation presented a series of still images from the incident, contending that they demonstrated Hermoso actively lifting Rubiales off his feet and being not only receptive but also the initiator of the kiss. The ongoing controversy, including Rubiales’ lengthy address on Friday in which he claimed victimization and criticized “fake feminism,” along with the Federation’s defense of him, is increasingly viewed as a broader societal battle transcending football. It symbolizes a struggle between an established, privileged male hierarchy and a more contemporary, feminist-oriented Spain