Luis Rubiales timeline: How Spanish FA boss has come below scrutiny since kiss
The 46-year-old chief has now confronted calls from Spain’s regional soccer presidents to right away resign, whereas 81 gamers have mentioned they won’t settle for a call-up for the nationwide crew with Rubiales nonetheless in cost.
Rubiales, a former defender, has been president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation since May 2018 however has been suspended by Fifa for 90 days.
Despite this, he has repeated a number of instances that he won’t step apart, and his mother has been on a hunger strike and has reportedly mentioned she is ready to die if it could assist clear her son’s identify.
Rubiales may now additionally face a authorized probe, with prosecutors contemplating whether or not kissing Hermoso — which she says was not consensual — counted as sexual assault.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has issued a press release on his behalf, stating Rubiales “will defend himself legally in the competent bodies” to show “his complete innocence”.
Meanwhile, Hermoso mentioned she didn’t consent to the kiss and felt “vulnerable and the victim of an aggression”.
This is how we’ve got acquired so far:
August 20 — Spain win World Cup and the kiss is planted
Spain beat England 1-0 in the Women’s World Cup final to win the event for the primary time. Rubiales appeared on the rostrum to congratulate gamers. He hugged crew members however saved an additional embrace for Hermoso, showing to seize her head and pull her right into a kiss.
Hermoso mentioned afterwards the kiss was not consensual and that she didn’t take pleasure in it.
August 21 — Rubiales provides one thing of an apology
Moment: Rubiales admits ‘spontaneous mistake’ after Hermoso kiss
Rubiales issued a press release. “[I’m] sorry to those who were offended,” he mentioned in a video recorded in Doha because the crew stopped on its journey again from Sydney.
“I have to accept,” he added.
“In a moment of such emotion, without any bad intention or bad faith, what happened, happened, in a very spontaneous way. [There was] no bad faith from either side.
“Here we saw it as something natural and normal. But on the outside it has caused a stir, because people have felt hurt by it, so I have to apologise; there’s no alternative.
“I have to learn from this and understand that a president of an institution as important as the federation — above all in ceremonies and that kind of thing — should be more careful.”
August 25: Defiant Rubiales pledges to hold on as Vilda applauds
Spain’s football chief Rubiales refuses to resign over kiss scandal
After Fifa opened an investigation, pressure built on Rubiales to resign following statements from players and coaches. But the chief refused to stand aside.
He told a conference: “I will fight this to the end. They are trying to kill me… false feminism is one of the scourges of this country.”
Rubiales then repeated five times: “I will not resign.”
Spanish women’s team manager Jorge Vilda, himself a controversial figure, was in the audience joining the widespread applause.
Rubulaes added: “I’ve come under a lot of pressure. Perhaps somebody will look to remove me on Monday. But we live in a country of laws. Is a consensual kiss enough to remove me? I’m going to fight until the end. I hope the law is followed and that, as there’s no reason to [remove me], it won’t happen.”
Rubiales said the kiss was “consensual” but Hermoso said in a social media post that “at no time” was this the case.
That same day, 81 players declared they will not play for Spain again with Rubiales still in post — including all 23 players in the Women’s World Cup squad.
August 26: Rubiales suspended by Fifa and Vilda U-turns
FIFA opens case against Rubiales after Hermoso kiss
Fifa announced that Rubiales is provisionally suspended from all football activity for 90 days while an investigation takes place.
“The chairman of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee… has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level,” Fifa said in a statement.
Its disciplinary committee also ordered Rubiales and Spanish FA officials and employees alike to refrain from contacting or attempting to contact Hermoso or those around her.
Vilda then turns on his ally and criticises Rubiales, as all of the women’s side’s coaching staff resign in protest.
Atletico Madrid players and staff held a banner in support of Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso before their match with AC Milan.
August 27: Internal investigation begins
‘Rubiales Resign’ say angry protestors outside RFEF
The Spanish FA confirms its delegate for sexual violence protocol has started an internal investigation into the events.
The federation called regional federations to an “extraordinary and urgent” meeting “to evaluate the situation in which the federation finds itself” following Rubiales’ suspension, a spokesperson said on Sunday.
This culminated on Tuesday with a joint statement from the presidents of the regions.
“After the latest events and the unacceptable behaviours that have seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, we request that Mr Luis Rubiales immediately present his resignation as president of the Spanish football federation,” the statement read.
August 28: Criminal court starts probe — and hunger strike begins
Spain soccer scandal: Sport leaders ask Rubiales to resign over kiss of participant
Spain’s prime felony court docket introduced that an investigation has began into whether or not the kiss quantities to a rely of sexual assault.
An announcement learn: “Given the public statements made by Jennifer Hermoso, the sexual act she was subjected to by Rubiales was not consensual.”
Meanwhile, Rubiales’s mom Angeles Bejar is refusing to go away a church the place she is endeavor a starvation strike. She mentioned: “I will stay here as long as my body holds out. I don’t mind dying for justice because my son is a decent person and it’s not fair what they’re doing.”