Reports suggest that Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Association (FA), has been suspended by FIFA.
Rubiales attracted negative attention during an event at the Stadium Australia, where he kissed Spain striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips.
Subsequently, he was observed making an offensive gesture and was filmed ‘grabbing his groin’ while celebrating Spain’s victory over England in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
After being criticised for his antics on the back of Spain’s World Cup victory, Rubiales declared on Friday that he will not resign during what was an explosive press conference.
However, it has now been reported that Rubiales has received a suspension from world football’s governing body, FIFA.
According to PA Dugout, who tweeted: “#BreakingFIFA has suspended Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level in relation to his conduct at the women’s World Cup final in Sydney.”
#Breaking FIFA has suspended Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level in relation to his conduct at the women’s World Cup final in Sydney. pic.twitter.com/93PPybyKW1
— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) August 26, 2023
It has been reported that Rubiales’ suspension will last ‘for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings opened against Mr. Luis Rubiales on Thursday, August 24’.
Rubiales had claimed that the kiss was consensual, something which Hermoso denied.
Player’s union, FUTPRO recently put out a statement demanding action against Rubiales.
It read: “From FUTPRO we express our firm and resounding condemnation of behaviors that violate the dignity of women.
“From our association we ask the Royal Spanish Football Federation to implement the necessary protocols, ensure the rights of our players and adopt exemplary measures.”
The statement continued: “We also call on the Higher Sports Council so that, within its powers, it actively supports and promotes prevention and intervention in the face of sexual harassment or abuse, machismo and sexism.
“FUTPRO rejects any attitude or conduct that violates the rights of soccer players and from the union we are working so that acts like the ones we have seen never go unpunished, are sanctioned and the pertinent measures are adopted to protect soccer players from actions that we believe are unacceptable.”