FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened investigation against the president of the Spanish FA Luis Rubiales, who kissed Jenni Hermoso after the country’s Women’s World Cup victory on Sunday, August 20, 2023.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by FIFA, noting that it respects the integrity of all individuals, but frown at “any behavior that is contrary.”
Recall that, Rubiales had kissed Hermoso on the lips during the medal ceremony following the team’s 1-0 win against England in Sydney.
According to SkySports, Rubiales, initially called his critics “idiots”, issued but later tendered an apology on Monday, although the apology was described as “insufficient” by Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez.
However, Hermoso initially said on social media, that she “didn’t like” the kiss but a statement on her behalf was later released by the RFEF in which she described the kiss as “spontaneous”.
Hermoso said in a joint statement on Wednesday released by her union and her agency: “My union FUTPRO, in coordination with my agency TMJ, are taking care of defending my interests and being the interlocutors on this matter.
“We are working to ensure that acts such as those we have seen never go unpunished, that they are sanctioned and that the exemplary measures are adopted to protect women footballers from actions that we believe are unacceptable.”
“We reiterate that it was deeply lamentable that such a special moment for the players of the Spain national team taking place before a global television audience should be stained by the inappropriate conduct of an individual in a role carrying so much responsibility.
“Uninitiated and uninvited physical approaches towards players are not appropriate or acceptable in any context, and especially when they are put in a position of vulnerability by a person who holds a position of power over them in their workplace.”
The (RFEF) announced on Tuesday night that, it had called an extraordinary meeting of its general assembly for Friday, and that “internal proceedings” were open in relation to integrity issues arising from the trophy ceremony.
However, Spain’s women’s football league, Liga F, called for Rubiales to be dismissed and said it had lodged a complaint with the president of the National Sports Council (CSD) over his “very serious actions and behaviour”.
“For a boss to grab his employee by the head and kiss her on the mouth simply cannot be tolerated,” it said.
“The subsequent justifications are, as the prime minister described it, ‘inadequate’
