Jennifer Hermoso: FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales over World Cup kiss controversy

CNN
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FIFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, after a video emerged of him placing an unwanted kiss on a star of Spain’s World Cup-winning team.

“The incidents may constitute breaches of Article 13, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” FIFA said. in the current situation.

Article 13 Relates to infractions of the Laws of the Game, for example “violating the Basic Rules of Appropriate Conduct”.

RFEF president Rubiales is also under renewed pressure from two of Spain’s leading organizations involved in women’s football over his behavior in the aftermath of the match. La Roja Winning the World Cup.

The federation representing female footballers in Spain has called for the head of the country’s soccer federation to be punished for kissing Jennifer Hermoso on the lips after the team’s World Cup victory, and has also vowed to fight against “masculinity and sexism”.

“It is essential that our team, the current world champions, is always represented by personalities who reflect the values ​​of equality and respect in all areas,” the Spanish Association of Professional Footballers (FUTPRO) said in a statement. statement Wednesday.

He added: “The FA is working so that actions like the ones we have seen never go unpunished, sanctions are imposed and relevant measures are adopted to protect footballers from actions we believe are unacceptable.”

Rubiales was pictured forcibly kissing the striker after her team beat England 1-0 on Sunday.

Hermoso, 33, who previously said she “didn’t like” the kiss and “didn’t expect it,” released a statement on Wednesday, saying the union and her agency TMJ will “defend my interests and act as spokespeople for this matter.”

In its statement, FUTPRO pledged to fight “sexual harassment or assault, machismo and sexism”.

“It is essential to continue progressing in the struggle for equality, a fight that our players led with determination, and that has taken us to the position we find ourselves in today,” the union said.

Amnesty International She also gave her support RFEF spokesman Carlos de las Heras said the RFEF had submitted a complaint to Hermoso and her written complaints, while urging the RFEF to “take urgent action and appropriately investigate the events, with a focus on protecting the player”.

Amnesty International added that if the RFEF does not do so, it will ask the RFEF The Spanish Supreme Council of Sport (CSD) for action.

Meanwhile, Spain’s women’s soccer league, Liga F, too He issued a statement on Wednesday Saying she has lodged a formal complaint with the Commission on Sustainable Development and calls for punishment for Rubiales’ “unacceptable and abhorrent” actions.

“One of the biggest achievements in the history of Spanish sport has been tarnished by the embarrassing behavior of the best representative of Spanish football, who has shown once again, led by his constant and usual desire for the limelight, that he is not up to the position he occupies,” the statement read.

“It’s not just about the kiss. It’s about an attitude so far removed from the values ​​of our society. An attitude that has been inscribed in the history of world sport and, more importantly, will always be associated with our women’s national team… We cannot allow that this incident has no consequences.

“It is time to take a step forward. The other side of the coin will be a humiliation for all women and the greatest loss for Spanish sport and for our country.”

Rubiales admitted on Monday that he “made a mistake” by kissing Hermoso after collecting her winners’ medal.

“I definitely made a mistake, I have to realize it,” Rubiales said in a video statement. “Here, we didn’t get it because we saw something normal, normal, and, I repeat, in no way, in bad faith. But outside the bubble, it seems to have turned into a storm, so, if there were people who were offended, I must say I’m sorry.”

However, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that Rubiales’ apology was “not enough”.

Rubiales has faced widespread criticism over the incident, with politicians and journalists describing his behavior as “unacceptable” and “simply disgusting”.

The FA is expected to address the incident during the Extraordinary General Assembly on Friday, although it did not appear on the meeting agenda issued by the FA.

CSD President Victor Francos said he would take action against Rubiales if the federation failed to do so.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of ongoing turmoil between Spain’s players, coach Jorge Vilda, and the Football Association.

In September 2022, 15 members of Spain’s women’s first team sent personally signed letters to the federation via email announcing that they would no longer play for the national team, unless there were wholesale changes made throughout the coaching staff.

However, the Football Association backed Vilda, who himself became embroiled in controversy around the World Cup final after a video emerged of him inappropriately touching a female staff member during the match.

CNN has reached out for comment from Vilda, the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the employee.