FIFA suspends Spanish FA president Rubiales for kissing player

FIFA has suspended Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales for 90 days for kissing a player without her consent.

The incident occurred on August 20, after Spain’s victory over the England in the Women’s World Cup final. Rubiales grabbed player Jenni Hermoso’s head and kissed her on the lips. Hermoso has said that she did not consent to the kiss.

Rubiales has apologised for the kiss, but he has denied any wrongdoing. He claimed the Hermoso gave him the permission to kiss her, saying the gesture was “consensual and euphoric.” Hermoso strongly denied that claim on Friday.

Spanish female players have vowed not to play until Rubiales is removed. The sports administrator said he will not resign but will fight to the end.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has found that Rubiales’s actions violated FIFA’s Code of Ethics, which prohibits “any form of physical contact that is unwanted or unwelcome”.

The committee has also ordered Rubiales and other Spanish football officials to refrain from contacting Hermoso.

The suspension is a major blow to Rubiales, who has been president of the Spanish football federation since 2018.

The suspension is also a setback for Spanish football. The federation is currently facing a number of other allegations of corruption, and the suspension of Rubiales will only add to the uncertainty surrounding the sport in Spain.

The case has also sparked a debate about consent and sexual harassment in sports. Some people have argued that Rubiales’s actions were not serious and that he should not have been suspended. Others have argued that the kiss was a clear violation of Hermoso’s personal space and that Rubiales should be held accountable.