Luis Rubiales Faces Investigation By Spanish Football Federation After Kissing Player

Topline

Spain’s football federation has launched an internal investigation into President Luis Rubiales, as he faces suspension from FIFA and a storm of criticism for what a member of the women’s national team called a non-consensual kiss following the team’s World cup win last week.

President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, right, kisses Jennifer Hermoso of … [+] Spain during the medal ceremony of FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

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Key Facts

The Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body of football in Spain, said in a statement Sunday its “sexual violence protocol” has been activated and asked for “the utmost respect for the right to privacy and dignity of all individuals involved” as the investigation progresses.

The move from his own organization comes one day after it announced Rubiales, who was on Saturday suspended from all FIFA activities, would cooperate with FIFA’s investigation into his behavior and “demonstrate his complete innocence.”

Rubiales has refused to step down after kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips following the team’s World Cup victory, and in an apology video called outrage over the kiss “idiotic” and a display of “fake feminism” without addressing Hermoso’s claims it was not consensual.

The Spanish Football Federation has threatened to sue Hermoso and the dozens of women’s football players who’ve refused to play in a show of support for their teammate, claiming Hermoso lied about the kiss being non-consensual and reminding players they have “an obligation” to play for their country.

Luis Rubiales, president of Spain’s football federation during the FIFA Women’s World Cup final … [+] match between Spain and England on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

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What To Watch For

The federation will hold an “extraordinary and urgent” meeting Monday to discuss the Rubiales situation.

Key Background

It was while individually congratulating members of the Spanish team on their World Cup win that photos and video show Rubiales placing his hands on both sides of Hermoso’s face and kissing her on the mouth. Hermoso later said in a statement that “at no time did I consent to the kiss,” adding that it was a “sexist, out of place” act that it made her feel like a “vulnerable… victim of aggression.” The Spanish Football Federation responded by issuing a statement on Hermoso’s behalf calling the kiss “a totally spontaneous mutual gesture” and released photos that show Hermoso lifting the president off his feet. The Spanish women’s professional soccer league, Liga F, filed a formal complaint last week after the kiss, which has since sparked widespread outrage among players, fans and other organizations. Liga F has asked Rubiales be removed from his post and Hermoso has accused him of creating a “manipulative culture” within Spanish soccer. FIFA on Saturday suspended Rubiales from all soccer-related activities at both the national and international level for 90 days and said he will be subject to the governing body’s disciplinary proceedings. The federation said Rubiales will “defend himself legally” against the FIFA suspension and “uphold the truth.”

Contra

Rubiales has vowed to “take more care” and, in an interview with Spain’s sports and culture minister, said he regrets that the kiss “has taken us back to an image of machista Spain in which women’s rights are not respected. It’s a backward step.”

Big Number

1. That’s how many times Spain has won the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Hermoso called it “one of the most desired achievements of my sporting career.”