Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales forcefully kissed Jenni Hermoso after the FIFA Women’s World Cup final match, Hermoso declared that he did not consent.
There was a new development about the event, which made a great impression in the football community.
The Prosecutor’s Office announced that it has launched an investigation against Rubiales on the allegation of ‘sexual assault’.
Former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales, who was asked to resign for kissing Jennifer Hermoso, one of the world champion Spain Women’s National Football Team players, on the lips, and who was temporarily suspended from his duty as part of the investigation opened by FIFA, is at the top of the Spanish agenda.
The discussions that started with Rubiales kissing a female athlete on the lips during the congratulations brought up the gender inequality in the country, sexual harassment against women in sports and similar issues.
Since the weekend in Spain, banners supporting Hermoso have been unfurled in many sports competitions and concerts.
The National Court Prosecutor’s Office also opened an investigation against Rubiales on a possible “sexual harassment” charge against Hermoso today, while urging the Spanish football player to take a side and file a criminal complaint.
The Association for Transparency and Democracy in Sports, on the other hand, applied to the court to file a lawsuit against Rubiales, demanding a 30-year ban from public office and a fine of 16,500 euros, for allegedly sexually harassing Hermoso.
They applied to the Sports Arbitration Court
Victor Francos, President of the Supreme Council of Sports (CSD), affiliated to the Ministry of Culture and Sports, also argued at the press conference that they have not yet received a response to their application to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, but that there are necessary conditions for Rubiales’ precautionary dismissal.
The CSD President said that due to the Rubiales incident, Spain’s candidacy to organize the 2030 World Cup was damaged, that from 1 January 2024 at least 40 percent of the entire management staff of the Spanish federations will be women and the structure of the RFEF has to change. .
If Rubiales, who is accused of “abuse of power and attempt against sporting ethics” by the CSD, is found guilty by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, there is a possibility that he will be completely removed from the RFEF presidency, suspended from public office for 2 to 15 years and fined between 3 thousand and 30 thousand euros. .
Rubiales’ mother goes on hunger strike
Meanwhile, Rubiales’ mother, Angeles Bejar, closed herself in the church in the Motril district of Granada, where she lived, and announced that she would go on a hunger strike “until justice is done and her son’s innocence is clear”.
Bejar claimed that “an inhumane witch hunt was launched” against his son. Relatives of Rubiales and some citizens gathered in front of the church and demonstrated for support.
The demonstrators stated that Hermoso had changed his expression three times so far and called on the national football player to “tell the truth” about the incident during the celebration.
Support for Hermoso
A feminist group gathered in the capital Madrid supported Hermoso.
Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Sumar Party, Yolanda Diaz, and Socialist Workers’ Party Education Minister Pilar Alegria also attended the demonstration in Madrid, where Rubiales was asked to receive an exemplary sentence.
The national team also criticizes the coaches
On the other hand, Spain Men’s National Football Team coach Luis de la Fuente and Women’s National Team coach Jorge Vilda, who applauded Rubiales’ speech at the extraordinary meeting of the RFEF General Assembly on Friday, August 25th and announced that he would not resign, were also criticized.
After the FIFA decision and the pressure in Spain, De la Fuente and Vilda separately stated in their written statements that Rubiales’ actions during the celebrations were “inappropriate”, but they could not prevent the reactions towards them.
During the post-match medal ceremony and celebrations in Sydney, Spain Women’s National Football Team, which became world champion for the first time in its history by beating England 1-0 in the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on August 20, received some reactions from RFEF President Rubiales. .
Rubiales, who made inappropriate moves from the tribune during the show of joy after Spain won the match, later kissed Spanish football player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips at the medal ceremony.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which opened an investigation into the matter, announced on August 26 that it had temporarily dismissed Rubiales.