Luis Rubiales: FIFA suspends embattled Spanish soccer chief amid World Cup kiss row

Embattled Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales has been provisionally suspended by FIFA for 90 days within the wake of the World Cup kissing row.

The 46-year-old has refused to step down regardless of mounting pressure from within Spanish football and the federal government.

He grabbed participant Jenni Hermoso and kissed her on the lips in the course of the awards ceremony following Spain’s 1-0 victory over England final Sunday in Sydney, Australia.

Read extra:
Who said what in World Cup kiss row?

FIFA stated it had suspended Mr Rubiales “from all football-related activities at national and international level”.

He has additionally been ordered to not contact or to try to contact Hermoso throughout his suspension.

“This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days”, pending the disciplinary proceedings in opposition to Mr Rubiales.

The determination by FIFA got here amid an escalating row.

Hermoso, a 33-year-old ahead, stated “in no moment” did she consent to the kiss. She and her teammates have vowed to not play for Spain once more – days after successful the World Cup for the primary time.

The nation’s soccer federation has stood by its president, who says the kiss was consensual, and threatened legal action to defend him.

In a prolonged assertion issued earlier Saturday, the federation confirmed a collection of photographs it claimed present Mr Rubiales was not mendacity.

“Mr President’s feet are ostensibly lifted from the ground as a result of the player’s action,” the assertion stated.

“The tests are conclusive. Mr President has not lied.

“The RFEF and Mr President will exhibit every of the lies which might be unfold both by somebody on behalf of the participant or, if relevant, by the participant herself.”

The statement threatened legal action, saying that playing for the national team “is an obligation for all members of the federation if they’re known as up”.

The federation stated it regretted the row was taking away from the World Cup success it wished to have a good time.

‘I will not resign’

Mr Rubiales claimed the kiss was “mutual” and “with consent” at a gathering of the Spanish soccer federation’s basic meeting on Friday.

He added he was the sufferer of a witch-hunt by “false feminists” after quickly repeating “I won’t resign” 5 instances.

In the model of occasions Mr Rubiales gave to the meeting, he stated Hermoso had lifted him up in celebration and he requested her for “a little kiss?” and she or he stated sure.

“The kiss was the same I could give one of my daughters,” Mr Rubiales stated.

He stated that he would defend his honour in courtroom in opposition to politicians, together with two ministers, who known as his kiss an act of sexual violence.

Spanish soccer’s ‘Me Too’?

Mr Rubiales can’t be sacked by the federal government, however the head of the state-run sports activities council, Victor Francos, says it is going to use a authorized process in a sports activities tribunal.

“We want this to be a ‘Me Too’ of Spanish soccer, ” Mr Francos stated.

People have gathered exterior the Spanish Soccer Federation in Madrid to protest in opposition to Mr Rubiales, with some carrying banners or holding up crimson playing cards.

Before the kiss, he had grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture from the part of dignitaries on the stadium, with Spain’s Queen Letizia and the 16-year-old Princess Infanta Sofia standing close by.

The controversy has overshadowed the ultimate and Spain’s first triumph within the international event.

The group arrived again in Madrid after delivering heartbreak to England – with Olga Carmona’s first-half objective proving an excessive amount of for the Lionesses.

Hermoso began the match within the World Cup last in Sydney, however was denied the possibility to get on the scoresheet after her penalty was stopped by England goalkeeper Mary Earps.