Spanish football chief quits over World Cup ‘kiss’

Spanish football chief quits over World Cup ‘kiss’

Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales will stop his submit after being roundly condemned by the soccer world and past for forcibly kissing a Spain participant on the mouth following the Women’s World Cup last, a number of media retailers reported Thursday.

Rubiales, 46, will submit his resignation as president of the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) on Friday at a rare basic meeting, in line with the reviews.

After Spain’s 1-0 win over England within the last in Sydney on Sunday Rubiales gave midfielder Jennifer Hermoso an unsolicited kiss on the lips. He additionally celebrated victory by grabbing his genitals.

The RFEF didn’t instantly reply to an AFP request for remark. Rubiales got here underneath unprecedented strain to resign, with days of criticism from figures together with Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s ladies’s league and several other males’s La Liga golf equipment, in addition to internationally.

FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings towards Luis Rubiales on Thursday after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president kissed Spain star Jenni Hermoso on the lips following the Women’s World Cup last final weekend.

“The FIFA disciplinary committee informed Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Association, today that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final,” world soccer’s governing physique mentioned in an announcement.

FIFA mentioned the incident “may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA disciplinary code”.

Spain star Hermoso launched a joint assertion with union Futpro on Wednesday, which referred to as for motion to be taken towards the RFEF president.

“We are working to ensure that acts such as those we have seen never go unpunished, that they are sanctioned and that the exemplary measures are adopted to protect women footballers from actions that we believe are unacceptable,” the assertion mentioned.

Human rights organisation Amnesty International supplied their backing to Hermoso on Thursday.

“Amnesty International wants to show their support for the demands of the player, who has asked the (RFEF) to set underway ‘exemplary measures’ regarding the non-consensual kiss,” mentioned the organisation in an announcement.

“(We) underline that this behaviour is a form of sexual violence like any other, and cannot be justified in any way.” Spain’s ladies’s soccer league, Liga F, has additionally referred to as for Rubiales to be sacked.

The RFEF have opened an investigation into Rubiales’ conduct and are holding an emergency assembly on Friday.

Rubiales, 46, initially attacked his critics earlier than finally apologising however the criticism of his behaviour has not abated.

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez beforehand mentioned that Rubiales’ apology for the kiss was “not enough”.

‘NOT BEHAVIOUR OF PRESIDENT’

Earlier Thursday Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti criticised Rubiales for his conduct.

“It’s a very delicate topic, like most people it was behaviour that I obviously did not like,” Ancelotti informed a news convention.

“It was not the behaviour of a president of the federation.”

The Italian coach wouldn’t be additional drawn on the problem.

“I don’t know if he should resign or not, I think he will take the most adequate decision,” added Ancelotti.

Real Madrid play Celta Vigo in La Liga on Friday and the Galicians’ supervisor Rafa Benitez additionally spoke about Rubiales.

“The success of the national team is the news and unfortunately it’s been relegated to the background,” mentioned Benitez.

“We all agree we have seen behaviour which was not correct and the competent authorities are there to take decisions.”

Getafe president Angel Torres criticised Rubiales on Wednesday and mentioned the president couldn’t spend “one minute more” in his submit.

American ahead Megan Rapinoe, the world’s highest-profile ladies’s participant, was equally scathing in an interview with The Atlantic earlier this week.

“What kind of upside-down world are we in? On the biggest stage, where you should be celebrating, Jenni has to be physically assaulted by this guy,” mentioned Rapinoe.

She referred to Rubiales’ behaviour on the last as portraying “a deep level of misogyny and sexism”.

Originally revealed as Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales compelled to stop over World Cup kiss

Source: www.news.com.au