The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) announced the suspension of the President of the Spanish Federation, Rubiales, for his inappropriate behavior after the Women’s World Cup final

Luis Rubiales, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, Luis Manuel Rubiales Bejar, Luis Manuel Rubiales Bejar. Image source: IANS News

Lausanne, August 26: The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to temporarily suspend Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, from all football-related activities at the national and international levels, due to his inappropriate behavior during and after the Women’s World Cup Final between Spain and England in Australia. .

The Chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio, using the powers conferred by Article 51 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), decided to take action against Rubiales.

This suspension, which will take effect from Saturday, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings opened against Luis Rubiales on Thursday (24 August).

The events began after Luis Rubiales kissed Spanish midfielder Gini Hermoso on the lips during the trophy handover ceremony in Sydney after the final, in which Spain beat England 1-0.

Rubiales was also shown partying in the director’s booth, making lewd gestures while standing almost next to Queen Letizia of Spain and the 16-year-old Princess Sofia.

In response, each member of the Spain women’s national team, which has just won the FIFA Women’s World Cup, has signed a joint statement saying they will never play for their country again while Luis Rubiales remains president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Rubiales said in his explanation that he was the victim of a “social assassination”, insisting that the kiss with Hermoso was “mutual” and “with consent”, and that he “will not resign”.

Hermoso responded with another statement denying Rubiales’ allegations, saying, “I will not tolerate my words being questioned,” while her teammates and other female players posted tweets supporting her.

FIFA reacted quickly to the whole controversy and took action against Luis Rubiales.

“The Chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, in order to preserve, among other factors, the fundamental rights of the national football team player Jennifer Hermoso and the good order of disciplinary procedures before this disciplinary body, has issued two additional directives (Article 7 of the FDC), FIFA said in a statement. on its official website.

He ordered Luis Rubiales to refrain, through himself or through a third party, from contacting or attempting to contact the professional player of the Spanish national football team, Jennifer Hermoso, or her immediate environment.

The statement also said that the RFEF and its officials or employees, directly or through third parties, have been ordered to refrain from contact with Spain’s professional player Jennifer Hermoso and her close environment.

The decision, made by the head of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on Saturday, has been forwarded to Luis Rubiales, the Spanish Football Federation and UEFA for due compliance.