Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation, has been expelled after his offensive behavior during the Women’s World Cup final.
Rubiales sparked outrage when he kissed Spain player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth as she accepted her medal following England’s 1-0 win over England in Sydney.
Footage also emerged showing Rubiales grabbing his crotch as he stood next to Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter Princess Infanta Sofia.
After initially labeling his opponents as ‘idiots’, Rubiales eventually caved to the mounting pressure and stepped down from his position to be replaced by Pedro Rocha.
Unpopular Spanish women’s coach Jorge Vilda could also leave his post, he said Diary AS.
Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales arrives at headquarters for Friday’s emergency meeting – he has been forced out of his position
Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation, has been kicked out after his controversial kiss on the mouth of player Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s World Cup victory.
Rubiales sparked further outrage after footage emerged of him clutching his crotch as he celebrated Spain’s victory near Spain’s Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter.
Rubiales begged forgiveness for his actions, but has now left his position
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On Thursday it was announced that FIFA had opened disciplinary proceedings against the football chief, who maintained his position.
Reports appeared in the Spanish press on Thursday that Rubiales was considering his position after Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez asked for an explanation.
Despite his confidence that he could turn the situation around, Rubiales has accepted the inevitable as the fuss over the 46-year-old’s behavior continues.
However, Rubiales will retain his lucrative £214,000-a-year role as vice-president of UEFA, the governing body of European football.
He has been condemned by several organizations within Spanish football, including FUTPRO – the trade union representing Hermoso – and the Liga F women’s football league, who have lodged a complaint with the president of the country’s sports council (CSD).
Hermoso had turned down the invitation to appear in Rubiales’ apology video, despite his pleas that “my position is on the line, do it for my daughters.”
Several clubs, including Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Getafe, had called for him to resign.
The decision comes after an emergency meeting of the Spanish Football Federation on Friday.
FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales on Thursday under Article 13 of their code of conduct, which calls for “offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play.”
Rubiales also wore Spanish player Athenea del Castillo Beivid during the festivities
Rubiales (right) pictured with Spain’s Queen Letizia and FIFA President Gianni Infantino after their 1-0 win over England in last Sunday’s final
Earlier this week, he tried to defuse the situation by releasing an apology video, saying, “I made a mistake and I have to admit it. It wasn’t done in bad faith; it was a moment of great emotion.’
Then devastating footage surfaced of Rubiales grabbing his crotch during the wild celebration scenes that greeted Spain’s victory at Stadium Australia.
The Queen of Spain and her daughter sat in the stands just a few feet away.
American legend Megan Rapinoe described the moment as “a signal of a deep level of misogyny and sexism,” insisting that his kiss from Hermoso was “physical assault.”
Rubiales hugs Spanish player Aitana Bonmati during the award ceremony
Rubiales hugs Alba Redondo during the festivities in Spain after winning the Women’s World Cup
Attacking midfielder Hermoso, who plays for CF Pachuca, admitted that she “didn’t like it” when Rubiales grabbed her and held her in a tight hug before kissing her on the lips on the post-match celebratory stage, which he later apologized for. reluctantly apologized. despite initially defending his behavior.
Spanish football chief Miguel Ángel Galán has now filed a complaint with the Madrid Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, claiming that Rubiales’ actions constitute sexual assault.
Galan, president of CENAFE – the country’s national school for football coaches – said: “I would like to file a complaint against Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, for committing an alleged crime of assault against the Spanish women’s football team. Jennifer Hermoso.
“This was an intolerable act of sexist behavior within our sport that could constitute an alleged felony of assault. I therefore request that a complaint be filed.’
Galan had already lodged a written complaint with the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD) and the Spanish FA (RFEF) itself, with his latest actions following the criminal route.