Following an act of ignoring consent, Luis Rubiales has been in the news for kissing Spanish football player Jenni Hermoso during the Women’s World Cup 2023 presentation ceremony. In a shocking turn of events, he had come out on Friday to blurt out in denial, “I will not resign”, repeatedly in a meeting where he was expected to step down.
The massive backlash from Spanish players’ and coaches’ unions and other football teams have followed since his outrageous speech in which he used phrases like “false feminists” and “manhunt”. Hermoso, the all-time leading Spanish goalscorer, had officially declared her dissent against Luis Rubiales through a statement mediated through her union, FUTPRO.
FIFA suspends Luis Rubiales
While FIFA’s disciplinary committee continues to investigate Luis Rubiales’ misconduct after the Spanish Women’s National team beat England in the World Cup Finals, the RFEF head is handed a suspension for 90 days from FIFA.
Pedro Rocha, the vice president of the federation, has been appointed as the acting President following the disciplinary action by FIFA. A statement released later said that Luis Rubiales “has complete trust in the FIFA’s procedures and will use this opportunity to start his defence so that the truth is known and he is proven innocent.”
The Associated Press has reported The president of the Spanish Women’s League, Beatriz Álvarez’s verdict that Rubiale’s case is hopeless and career-ending. Being a complainant against Rubiales, she said, “Whether it is because of the action of FIFA or the Spanish government, I am sure that Luis Rubiales won’t spend another minute as president of the Spanish federation.”
Jorge Palacio, FIFA’s disciplinary judge, ordered RFEF and Rubiales on Saturday against attempting to contact Hermoso after she had previously revealed being under immense pressure by the federation to retract from her stand for justice. The federation had also threatened legal action against the player for presenting a version of the incident different from Rubiales’ “consensual ” version.
Spanish players, teams unite against Rubiales
As the Spanish government has already made its stand clear, it has accused Rubiales of violating Spanish sports laws on two counts, and the investigation is underway.
When Luis Rubiales stood in front of a predominantly male crowd to arrogantly defy the serious allegations against him, supported by his federation, others like Rafael del Amo, then Vice President, six coaches and five other staff members resigned in solidarity with the player.
Jenni Hermoso was welcomed with a standing ovation at a pre-season match between Athletico Madrid and AC Milan as the players posed in front of a solidarity banner that said “With You Jennifer Hermoso.”.
Hermoso, her 22 World Cup-winning compatriots, and 58 other players have made clear their defiance to wear the national jersey unless and until Rubiales is removed.
Spain and Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias has announced he will not play for the national team ‘until things change and this kind of action doesn't go unpunished’ following Luis Rubiales' statements pic.twitter.com/44dE6Dc5VL
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 25, 2023
After Friday’s events, Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias also made public his decision to stay away from the National team ‘until things change and this kind of action doesn’t go unpunished’.
#SeAcabó pic.twitter.com/wZRQurxCQ5
— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) August 26, 2023
Reiterating what Alexia Putellas, Hermoso’s teammate, posted on social media calling out Luis Rubiales, Sevilla Men’s team adorned their shirts with the message “This is over!” written on it. Cadiz became the other men’s team to explicitly extend their solidarity as the players held the banner saying “We Are All With Jenni.”.
Barcelona men’s coach and former Spanish World Cup Winner, Xavi Hernández, expressed his stand by stating his remarks on the incident as “totally unacceptable.”
While UEFA and its President Aleksander Čeferin are still silent about the furor over one of their highest-ranked Vice Presidents’ grave misconducts, most of those who applauded and stayed silent on Friday during Rubiales’ ‘heroics’ have either fallen back or issued statements acknowledging the gravity of his acts.
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