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Rabat – FIFA announced the provisional suspension of Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish soccer federation, from all football-related activities.
The suspension comes in the wake of a controversial incident involving Rubiales and Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso.
The incident in question occurred last Sunday when Spain clinched its first Women’s World Cup victory. Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the winners’ medal ceremony.
Hermoso, who described the kiss as unwanted, has been vocal about her discomfort with the situation. She asserted that the kiss was without her consent, leading to her refusing to play for the national team as long as Rubiales remained in his position. The decision garnered the support of her teammates and even the Spanish government.
In response, Rubiales defended his actions, insisting that the kiss was consensual. The Spanish soccer federation stood firmly behind him and even threatened legal action against Hermoso and others involved in the controversy.
FIFA, on the other hand, has now taken a decisive step by imposing a provisional suspension of 90 days on Rubiales. The suspension prohibits Rubiales and the Spanish Football Federation from contacting Jenni Hermoso.
The situation escalated further when the Spanish soccer federation threatened legal action against Hermoso, accusing her of lying about the incident. Hermoso, in a statement posted on social media, countered Rubiales’ claims, stating, “I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out-of-place act without any consent on my part.”
The case drew the attention of high-profile officials as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez labeled Rubiales’ apology for the incident as “unacceptable” and stated that it was “not enough.”
Despite the mounting pressure and criticism, Rubiales reiterated his position during an Extraordinary General Assembly, firmly stating that he would not resign. He described the kiss as “mutual” and criticized what he referred to as “unjust” campaigns and “fake feminism.”
