FIFA on Saturday suspended Luis Rubiales as president of Spain’s soccer federation for kissing FIFA Women’s World Cup player Jenni Hermoso on the lips, while even his close friend Spain coach Jorge Vilda joined the tidal wave of criticism.
The move by world soccer’s governing body was the latest development in a deepening row pitting Rubiales and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) against Hermoso and her Spain teammates, which the players say has tarnished the glory of winning the World Cup in Australia on Aug. 20.
Hermoso said “at no time” did she consent to the kiss, which Rubiales described as “mutual, euphoric and consensual.”
Photo: AP
“[We] decided today to provisionally suspend Mr Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level,” FIFA said, banning him and the RFEF from contacting Hermoso or those close to her.
The suspension of Rubiales would last 90 days while FIFA undertakes disciplinary proceedings against the 46-year-old.
Later on Saturday the majority of the women’s team’s coaching staff offered their resignations over Rubiales’ conduct, although Vilda was not among them.
Meanwhile 81 players, including Hermoso, are on strike from the national team.
“I deeply regret that Spanish women’s football’s triumph has been harmed by the improper behavior of our leader Luis Rubiales, which he himself has acknowledged,” said Vilda in a statement to the EFE news agency.
Vilda, who was seen applauding Rubiales’ speech on Friday in which he refused to resign despite unprecedented criticism, was told in it by the president he would be offered a new deal with a huge pay hike.
Six of Vilda’s first-team staff and five others working in women’s soccer in the RFEF offered to step down because of the “unacceptable attitudes and statements” from Rubiales.
They added that they supported Hermoso’s version of events.
Hermoso and 80 other Spain players, including the entire World Cup squad, said they would not play for the national team until the “leadership” changes.
The RFEF responded to FIFA’s suspension, saying Rubiales has “full confidence in the FIFA bodies” and would defend himself “so the truth prevails and his complete innocence is proven.”
The federation said that Pedro Rocha would take over as interim president during Rubiales’ suspension.
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