Former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales’ troubles just keep mounting. In a statement about the incident after the Women’s World Cup final, FIFA said the episode has ‘considerably damaged football’s integrity and reputation’.
Luis Rubiales had landed an unsolicited kiss on Spanish captain Jenni Hermoso after Spain won their maiden Women’s World Cup. The incident kicked up a lot of controversy. Rubiales maintained a brave face first. He claimed that the Kiss was ‘consensual’ although Hermoso revealed that she ‘did not enjoy it’ in a statement later. She also claimed that she was being constantly pressured to validate Rubiales’ side of the story. Rubiales resigned after a few days.
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The FIFA did not take to the incident kindly as expected. The governing body had sanctioned Rubiales for 90 days and opened disciplinary proceedings against the former Spanish football chief. In a statement on El Mundo, FIFA has said that the incident has ‘tarnished the success of Spain’ and has caused ‘irreparable damage’ to football as a sport.
FIFA also also took note of Rubiales’ alleged attempts to pressure Hermoso to testify in his favour, calling the attempt ‘intolerable’.
FIFA also also took note of Rubiales’ alleged attempts to pressure Hermoso to testify in his favour, calling the attempt ‘intolerable’.
“In view of how the General Assembly of the RFEF was developed and particularly the communications -from the union- Futpro and from the player, which contained serious accusations against Rubiales, the adoption of the suspension is justified,” said the report.
“Threatening the player with legal measures simply because she expressed her opinion about what happened or, what is more serious, putting pressure on the player and her environment, is intolerable and obstructs disciplinary procedures,” the report added.
Will Rubiales attempt to get into football administration again after his sanction comes to an end?
