The government said Friday that Spain’s sports court has decided to examine Luis Rubiales for forcibly kissing a Women’s World Cup player, paving the road for new sanctions against the scandal-plagued football manager.
The government filed a complaint against Rubiales last week through the state-run National Sports Council (CSD), accusing him of “very serious” offenses.
However, in agreeing to hear the case, the Administrative Tribunal for Sport (TAD) stated that the behavior in question was “serious,” falling short of the government’s description of Rubiales’ acts.
If the court had recognized the “very serious” classification, the Sports Council would have been able to suspend the 46-year-old president of the RFEF football federation for the duration of the case.
FIFA has already suspended Rubiales for 90 days while it considers disciplinary action for his forcible kiss on midfielder Jenni Hermoso after Spain won the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney on August 20.
In reaction, Sports Minister Miquel Iceta stated that the Sports Council will “apply to the court to temporarily suspend Luis Rubiales from his duties until the case against him is finally resolved.”
“The Sports Council and the government believe the RFEF president’s actions should be classified as a very serious abuse of authority which damage the image of Spanish football,” he told a news conference.
“It’s over.. We will not tolerate any lack of respect for women’s rights, nor will we back down on policies of equality between men and women in sport.”
Damaging To Spanish Football
Rubiales has vehemently defended the unwelcome kiss as “just a peck,” which he claims was consensual, but Hermoso claims it was not and left her feeling like a “victim of an assault.”
He sparked even more outrage when he refused to resign despite rising pressure and instead screamed against “false feminism” during an emergency federation meeting.
Rubiales was also chastised for grasping his crotch with both hands as he celebrated Spain’s victory alongside Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, Princess Sofia.
More than 80 Spanish players, including the whole World Cup roster, have stated that they would not play for the Women’s National Team until the RFEF leadership changes.
On Monday, the federation’s regional chiefs pushed Rubiales to resign, claiming his “unacceptable behavior” had “seriously harmed the image of Spanish football.”
They are also claimed to have agreed on the necessity for Vilda to resign, however he is said to want another position at the federation if he departs his current position.
Prosecutors in Spain have also begun a preliminary inquiry into Rubiales’ kiss on the grounds that it could constitute “s**ual assault,” which under Spanish law encompasses a wide range of offenses ranging from internet abuse to r**e.