CNN –
The Spanish government has suffered a setback as it sought to remove embattled soccer boss Luis Rubiales from his post over the unwanted kiss he gave Spanish international Jennifer Hermoso.
Spain’s Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAD) agreed on Friday to open proceedings against Rubiales but rejected the government’s argument that his offenses were “very serious”, preventing his immediate suspension and forcing ministers to appeal to the tribunal instead , to do that.
Culture and Sports Minister Miquel Iceta said at a news conference on Friday that he would file a separate complaint with the TAD and demand that Rubiales be removed from his post until the investigation was completed.
The development comes as pressure continues to mount on Rubiales since he accidentally kissed Hermoso following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup on August 20.
Rubiales was suspended from all soccer-related activities for 90 days by FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, on Saturday, although he could also ultimately face a ban from the government’s High Council for Sports (CSD).
A government statement released on Tuesday said Rubiales exhibited “unacceptable behavior” at the World Cup final and described his actions as “very serious” violations of the country’s sports law, which TAD has now rejected.
Earlier this week, all 19 of the Spanish federation’s regional presidents called for Rubiales’ resignation while also unanimously offering their support for interim president Pedro Rocha, who took over the role following Rubiales’ suspension by FIFA.
Rubiales has admitted he made a mistake kissing Hermoso but maintains the act was consensual.
Hermoso says she did not allow herself to be kissed and feels hurt by Rubiales’ actions.
In a statement last Friday, the soccer champion said that at no point did she consent to a kiss, writing on social media: “I felt vulnerable and the victim of an impulsive, sexist, misplaced act without my consent.”
Hermoso also said that the RFEF president’s statement on the incident was “categorically” false, adding: “I would like to emphasize, as before, that I did not like this incident.”
Pressure on Rubiales to step down as RFEF president has only increased since he dramatically refused to do so during a speech at the federation’s extraordinary general assembly last Friday, promising “by End of fighting”.
During the speech, Rubiales described the kiss as “mutual” and spoke of “unjust” campaigns and “false feminism.”
“I will not resign,” he said emphatically several times during the almost 30-minute speech.