Luis Rubiales sidelined for kissing Jennifer Hermoso in World Cup final
By Ed Emeanua
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) boss Luis Rubiales has been suspended by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) for kissing Spain centre-forward Jennifer Hermoso on the lips at the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.
The Spanish football chief’s action which took place during the presentation ceremony following Spain’s 1-0 defeat of England in the final in Sydney, sparked worldwide condemnation, with no fewer than 80 players threatening strike action and international football duty boycott against Spain should Rubiales fail to step down.
According to The Guardian, an official statement from FIFA read: “The chairman of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio (Colombia), in use of the powers granted by article 51 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC), has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level.
“This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings opened against Mr. Luis Rubiales on Thursday, August 24,”
However, Rubiales has since absolved himself of any wrong doing over the incidence, with the Spanish Federation also accusing the Spain striker of lying as well as threatening legal cause against her after Hermoso said Rubiales kissed her against her wish during the presentation ceremony at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.
Rubiales, a former Levante defender, has equally adamantly refused to abdicate his position as Spanish football chief.
The decision to axe the RFEF boss by FIFA comes six days following Rubiales was fingered for having shamed Spain under World glare at the final in Sydney, Australia, thereby obscuring the huge achievement of La Roja’s first World Cup victory.
Aside kissing Spain star forward Jenni Hermoso against her consent, the Spain Football Federation chief also clutched his groin in a indecent triumphant sign with Spain’s Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter Sofia in the vicinity.
