AP

FIFA suspends Spain soccer federation president Luis Rubiales for 90 days after World Cup final kiss

Aug 26, 2023, 2:34 PM

The president of the Spanish soccer federation Luis Rubiales speaks during an emergency general ass...

The president of the Spanish soccer federation Luis Rubiales speaks during an emergency general assembly meeting in Las Rozas, Friday Aug. 25, 2023. Rubiales has refused to resign despite an uproar for kissing a player, Jennifer Hermoso on the lips without her consent after the Women's World Cup final. Rubiales had also grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture from the section of dignitaries with Spain's Queen Letizia and the 16-year old Princess Sofía nearby. (Real Federación Española de Fútbol/Europa Press via AP)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(Real Federación Española de Fútbol/Europa Press via AP)

GENEVA (AP) — FIFA suspended Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales on Saturday while its disciplinary committee investigates his conduct at the Women’s World Cup final, which included kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s victory.

The provisional suspension comes less than a week after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in Sydney, Australia, and a day after Rubiales refused to resign, despite intense pressure from the Spanish government, women players, soccer clubs and officials. Rubiales’ conduct, which also included grabbing his crotch, has overshadowed the enormous accomplishment of Spain’s first Women’s World Cup title.

Hermoso has said she did not consent to the kiss, and the team’s players have said they will not play any more games as long as Rubiales is in charge. It was not immediately clear how FIFA’s latest intervention might affect that.

FIFA said it removed Rubiales from soccer duties for 90 days “pending the disciplinary proceedings opened” against him Thursday.

The president of Spain’s women’s league, Beatriz Álvarez, told The Associated Press that she believed this was the end of Rubiales’ soccer career. The league filed one of several official complaints against Rubiales that Spain’s government received in the past week.

“Luis Rubiales is finished. He has dug his own grave with his acts and his words,” Álvarez said. “Whether it is because of the action of FIFA or the Spanish government, I am sure that Luis Rubiales won’t spend another minute as president of the Spanish federation.”

The federation appointed vice-president Pedro Rocha as acting president. It added in a statement that Rubiales “has complete trust in the FIFA’s procedures and will use this opportunity to start his defense so that the truth is known and he is proven innocent.”

The federation has threatened legal action against Hermoso for refusing to accept Rubiales’ version of the kiss that happened at the on-field medal and trophy presentation last Sunday.

FIFA has given no timetable for a ruling. The body’s disciplinary judges can impose sanctions ranging from warnings and fines to suspensions from the sport.

The action taken Saturday should prevent Rubiales, who is also a UEFA vice president, from working in soccer or having contact with other officials.

Rubiales has been leading the joint bid by Spain, Portugal, Morocco — and possibly Ukraine — to host the 2030 World Cup. The suspension means he cannot attend UEFA meetings or vote in October to decide the winning bids for the 2028 and 2032 European Championships.

Also Saturday, FIFA disciplinary judge Jorge Palacio ordered Rubiales and the federation not to contact Hermoso, FIFA said in a statement. Hermoso had said the federation pressured her to publicly back Rubiales.

Spain’s government — via its Higher Council for Sports — filed a lawsuit Friday alleging that Rubiales violated the country’s sports laws on two counts: for an alleged abuse of power and for allegedly” committing acts that tarnished the dignity and decorum of a sporting event. If found guilty, Rubiales could be ruled unfit to hold office.

Spain’s Secretary of State for Sports Víctor Francos, who heads the sports council, said FIFA’s decision “reinforces and reaffirms that the path that the government of Spain announced yesterday was correct.”

World Cup winner says she did not consent to kiss after Spanish soccer boss Luis Rubiales refuses to resign

Local media originally reported that Rubiales would announce his resignation to Friday’s general assembly of the federation. Instead, he dug in, painting himself as the victim of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists” and receiving applause from the mostly male crowd.

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

The federation backed Rubiales, saying he was telling the truth.

While Rubiales held his ground, federation vice president Rafael del Amo, who had been in charge of women’s soccer, resigned. Four assistant coaches for Spain’s senior team, plus two coaches of the women’s youth teams, and five other staff members for the senior and youth women’s teams also resigned on Saturday.

Messages of support for Hermoso poured in.

Before their game with Girona on Saturday, players from Sevilla’s men’s team wore T-shirts with the message, “This is over,” echoing words Hermoso’s teammate and two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas posted on social media Friday.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández condemned Rubiales’ behavior during a pregame media conference.

“It’s totally unacceptable,” he said.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and other clubs issued statements criticizing Rubiales and backing the government’s move to oust him. The European players’ union and Spain’s women’s league both backed Hermoso.

Political parties from both the left and right in Spain said Rubiales was unfit to continue in his post. Iberia airlines and other sponsors for the federation said they were with the government as well.

Rubiales mustered some support, at least inside the federation. Among those applauding him at Friday’s assembly were Spain’s women’s coach Jorge Vilda and Spain’s men’s coach Luis de la Fuente. Former Spain coach Luis Enrique, now at Paris Saint-Germain, lauded his overall management of the federation.

The furor over Rubiales comes months after Spanish soccer was rocked by racist insults on Black star Vinicius Junior. Several people were arrested and charged with racist chants against Junior and of hanging an effigy of him.

Rubiales holds the No. 3-ranking elected position in the UEFA, which pays him 250,000 euros ($270,000) annually plus expenses. Rubiales made 339,000 euros ($365,000) in 2021 after taxes, for presiding the Spanish federation with a budget of 382 million euros ($412 million).

He was elected to the executive committee by UEFA member federations in 2019 and was within weeks promoted to the vice presidency by UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin.

Neither UEFA nor Čeferin have commented on the Rubiales scandal.

The 46-year-old Rubiales, whose term runs through next summer, is a former player who led the world players’ union’s Spanish affiliate for eight years before being elected in 2018 to replace his federation predecessor who ended up behind bars for corruption.

His tenure has been marked by big moves to modernize Spanish soccer as well as scandal. He revamped the Copa del Rey to make it a shorter and more exciting competition. But his overhaul of the Spanish Super Cup, which consisted in taking it to Saudi Arabia for $40 million a year, was criticized by human rights groups and scrutinized by authorities. Last year, Spain’s state prosecutors’ office announced it was opening a probe into the contracts behind the Spanish Super Cup contracts.

___

Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain.

KSL 5 TV Live

AP

Cars are backed up at the US-Canada border in Stanstead, Quebec, after a shooting involving a U.S. ...

Kathy McCormack and Patrick Whittle, Associated Press

US border patrol agent was fatally shot in Vermont near Canada

Authorities on Tuesday are investigating the fatal shooting of a U.S. Border Patrol agent near Canada that also left a suspect dead and another injured.

1 day ago

FILE - The Border Patrol station July 11, 2014, in Harlingen, Texas. U.S. immigration officials say...

Associated Press

US border patrol agent shot, killed in Vermont

A U.S. Border Patrol agent was fatally shot Monday in northern Vermont south of the Canadian border, authorities said.

2 days ago

President Donald Trump signs an executive order as he attends an indoor Presidential Inauguration p...

Alanna Durkin Richer and Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press

Trump issues pardons for participants in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol

Donald Trump has issued pardons for participants in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, one of his first acts after being sworn in as the country’s 47th president on Monday.

2 days ago

FILE - Cecile Richards, Planned Parenthood's president, addresses an audience during an event in Ho...

Holly Ramer, Associated Press

Former Planned Parenthood president, women’s rights activist Cecile Richards has died at 67

Cecile Richards, a national leader for abortion access and women’s rights who led Planned Parenthood for 12 tumultuous years has died.

2 days ago

President Donald Trump gestures during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S...

Colleen Long and Bill Barrow, Associated Press

Trump is set to sign a slew of executive orders on Day 1

From pardons to immigration reform, President Donald Trump promised a flurry of executive actions on his first day.

2 days ago

President Donald Trump speaks during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. ...

Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press

Trump returns to a changed Washington, this time with a full embrace from Republicans

Donald Trump has taken the oath of office inside a tightly packed Capitol Rotunda on Monday.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

FIFA suspends Spain soccer federation president Luis Rubiales for 90 days after World Cup final kiss