Suspended Spanish football director Luis Rubiales could face additional domestic sanctions on Monday, when the country’s top sports court meets to hear charges about him forcibly kissing Women’s World Cup player Jenni Hermoso.
On Saturday, FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales for 90 days, but the 46-year-old could face a longer suspension from the Spanish government if the sports court initiates charges against him for “very serious” offenses or “abuse of authority.”
Spain’s top sports court (TAD) began meeting online from 1100 GMT.
The Spanish government has said it will take action against Rubiales if the sports court gives them the go-ahead.
“If the court upholds the complaint and begins to process that case, we can request the provisional suspension of the president of the RFEF (the football federation) until TAD finishes analysing it and takes their decision,” Sports Minister Miquel Iceta said on Friday.
Despite Rubiales’ statements to the contrary, Spain midfielder Hermoso maintains Rubiales’ kiss before Spain lifted the World Cup trophy in Sydney was not consensual, and 81 women’s team players went on strike in protest after the federation chief refused to retire.
In a powerful statement on Friday, Hermoso said: “I felt vulnerable and a victim of an assault, an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part.”
As many as 11 members of the Spanish football federation’s women’s football staff have also left, however controversial Spain women’s coach Jorge Vilda has not, despite criticizing Rubiales’ behavior.
A source close to the situation told AFP that the federation, led by temporary president Pedro Rocha, has scheduled a second emergency meeting of regional federation presidents for Monday afternoon.
Later Monday, CSD President Victor Francos will speak about the Rubiales crisis and any potential measures the government can take.
“The only sanctions provided for by the Sports Law are to impose a fine or ineligibility for a period of between two and fifteen years,” sports lawyer Toni Roca said in an interview on Spanish public television Sunday.
Worldwide Criticism
Criticism of Rubiales mounted last week after he kissed Hermoso following Spain’s World Cup final victory over England on August 20.
Andres Iniesta, who scored the only goal in the 2010 men’s World Cup final to give Spain the trophy for the first time, said Rubiales’ conduct had “tarnished” the women’s achievement.
“I believe that we cannot tolerate actions like the ones we have seen, which have tarnished such a great milestone as winning a World Cup,” Iniesta said on social media.
“(Instead of celebrating) we have had to put up with a president who has clung on to his position, who has not admitted that his behaviour has been unacceptable and is damaging the image of our country and our football around the world.
“It’s a shame that a beautiful story that so many players have built over so many years has been soiled.”
Many women’s players around the world, including those from World Cup runners-up England, have raised their voices in support of Hermoso.
Fewer have done so in men’s football, though Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias resigned from the Spanish national team in protest of Rubiales’ behavior and refusal to resign.
Athletic Bilbao fans praised Iglesias as he came on as a substitute in a La Liga encounter on Sunday at the San Mames.
Sevilla players wore t-shirts with the slogan ‘It’s Over’ before their game against Girona on Saturday, a message in support of Hermoso and the striking Spanish players, who began using the term on social media while discussing about the problem.