Luis Rubiales will face a disciplinary inquiry from FIFA as they launch proceedings against the Spanish FA president over the World Cup kiss-gate… and his allies for an important meeting tomorrow abandon him
- FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Luis Rubiales, head of the Spanish Football Federation
- He kissed Jenni Hermoso and appeared to grab his crotch during the World Cup final
- His future as FA chief is threatened by calls for his resignation and an impending meeting
FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the beleaguered president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales.
Football’s international governing body has confirmed that it has opened proceedings based on its behavior on the day of the Women’s World Cup final last Sunday.
Rubiales kissed Spain player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth after the country’s 1-0 win over England and also appeared to grab his crotch around the Spanish queen and her 16-year-old daughter.
FIFA stated that the events “may constitute a violation of Article 13(1) and (2) of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code.”
Article 13 speaks of ‘offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play’.
FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales
He kissed Jenni Hermoso on the mouth after Spain’s World Cup final victory over the Lionesses
Rubiales also seemed to grab at the crotch of the Spanish queen and her daughter
Since kissing Hermoso, he’s apologized for committing an act she said she didn’t like – despite initially labeling his opponents as “idiots.”
He said, ‘I made a mistake and I have to admit it. It wasn’t done in bad faith; it was a moment of great emotion.’
Hermoso turned down the chance to appear in his apology video despite pleading that “my position is on the line, do it for my daughters.”
Despite his admission, the Spanish Prime Minister has demanded a fuller explanation for his actions. He said his apologies were “not enough.”
Rubiales is already losing support from Spanish football circles and his future as president is threatened by uprisings, even though he has refused to step down.
Hermoso’s union, FUTPRO, said his behavior should not go unpunished.
Spain’s women’s football league, Liga F, has called for his resignation and lodged a complaint with the President of the Supreme Council of Sports after Rubiales’ “very serious actions and behaviour”.
Meanwhile, Getafe FC president Angel Torres has claimed that ‘he must resign’ and that ‘this man cannot stay one more minute’, urging the Spanish government’s Supreme Council for Sport to open proceedings.
On Friday, the Spanish Football Federation will hold an emergency meeting, where it will answer questions about the fiasco ‘urgently’.
The Spanish Football Federation has called an emergency meeting where he will be questioned
The president of LaLiga club Getafe has called for him to resign, while the Spanish women’s league wants to sack him
The Basque Football Federation confirmed they would not be attending the meeting despite being its most trusted body, as reported by IF.
Other members are considering following suit and even leaving the board.
“Given the seriousness of what happened at the presentation of the trophies for the World Cup final and the subsequent management as a result of the events, the Basque Football Federation will not be attending the RFEF meeting,” a statement said.
“Also in view of what will happen in the coming days, a decision will be made on the continuity of our president on the RFEF board of directors.”
Meanwhile, other territorial federations have confirmed that they will attend the crunch meeting. These include Andalusia, Asturias or the Balearic Islands.
In a statement about the investigation, FIFA said: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will not provide further information on this disciplinary procedure until it has made a final decision.
“FIFA reiterates its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any conduct to the contrary.”