Football
Finally, Spanish FA kick against Luis Rubiales
The Spanish FA (RFEF) have kicked against their president Luis Rubiales. This is following their released statement urging the 46-year-old to resign over the Jenni Hermoso kiss scandal.
Rubiales was pictured grabbing Hermoso and kissing the player on the lips during Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory celebrations.
Prosecutors in Spain have opened a preliminary investigation over Rubiales. They are looking into whether the incident amounts to a crime of sexual assault.
READ ALSO: World Cup kiss saga: Rubiales blows hot, says no to resignation
Hermoso claims the kiss was not consensual while confirming that she will not play for Spain again until Rubiales’ sack. And her international team-mates have since joined her in solidarity.
Rubiales still remains in his post as RFEF chief despite being provisionally suspended by FIFA. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail report that they are pushing to hand him a whopping 15-year ban.
Rubiales was expected to resign in an emergency assembly called last Friday. But he instead gave an astonishing speech hitting out at his critics and insisted he would not leave.
The RFEF in a twist later revealed they would be taking legal action against Hermoso. They accused her of ‘lying’ about her version of events. They even presented images claiming that she had instigated the interaction. According to them, she was the one that lifted the federation president off his feet.
But they appear to have made a U-turn and have now urged Rubiales to resign in statement.
The statement read: ‘Once the meeting of the Commission of Presidents of Regional and Territorial Federations of the RFEF has finished. The following agreements are unanimously made known to the world of football and society:
‘After the latest events and the unacceptable behaviours that have seriously damaged the image of Spanish football. The presidents request that Mr. Luis Rubiales immediately present his resignation as president of the RFEF.
‘We warmly congratulate the women’s soccer team for their victory in the World Cup. We value the meaning and legacy of success for Spanish sport.
Their statement had continued:
‘We express our admiration and gratitude to an unrepeatable group of players and we extend our congratulations to all those who have built, over the years with determination, the growth of women’s football.
The RFEF recommending the need for restructuring posited:
‘We will urge the corresponding bodies to carry out a deep and imminent organic restructuring in strategic positions of the Federation to give way to a new stage of management in Spanish football.
‘Once FIFA has suspended Mr. Luis Rubiales, the Federation’s internal protocols have been activated as a result of the suspension.
‘In addition, we have urged President Pedro Rocha to immediately withdraw the last communication on behalf of the Federation with FIFA and UEFA that we have known today.
‘The RFEF maintains its commitment to continue implementing its investment, as well as equality policies for the development of women’s football.
‘Lastly, the Presidents’ Commission has given its unanimous support to Mr. Pedro Rocha so that he may lead a new stage where dialogue and reconciliation with all football institutions is the line to follow.
‘We make ourselves available to the CSD and all the institutions involved to continue building together the candidacy for the 2030 World Cup.’