The former Spanish Football Federation president’s intrusive celebration after his players were crowned at the World Cup in Australia in August ultimately earned him a three-year ban from FIFA.
• Also read: Female soccer players need a “good man and a big penis”
• Also read: Forced kiss: Spanish association “asks for forgiveness”
• Also read: Forced kiss: Luis Rubiales’ mother was hospitalized after her hunger strike
A few days after the final that Spain won against England, the International Football Association (FIFA) suspended Luis Rubiales indefinitely for kissing star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent and holding her hand and head with both hands . The organization wanted to give itself 90 days to conduct an investigation; Ultimately, it took him 65 years to come to this conclusion.
“Guilty for breach of Article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.” […]has been banned by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee from carrying out any activity related to football at national and international level for a period of three years,” said a press release from the body that oversees the international’s football, reaffirming its “commitment to the protection of the integrity of each individual and respect for the rules of conduct.”
According to AFP, the article cited by FIFA specifically mentions an “insulting” gesture, “basic rules of decency” and “behavior damaging to the image of football or FIFA”.
Fast reaction
A few hours later, the 46-year-old former Spanish football boss announced that he would appeal the decision.
“I will go so far as to take the last resort so that justice is served and the truth comes to light,” Rubiales wrote violently on the social network.
FIFA DECISION:
I immediately made the final decision to do justice and answer the truth💪
For many of our politicians, media and institutions there is no doubt about disproportionality and injustice.✅
LA GENTE, MUY MAYORITARIAMENTE, LO TIENE CLARO pic.twitter.com/3z7hKMDw2R— Luis Rubiales (@LuisRubiales17) October 30, 2023
Global outrage
The story went around the world and shocked many football fans and even people who are not interested in the sport. A forced kiss during the award ceremony, which also recalled the machismo that had plagued Spain for too long and overshadowed the triumph of La Roja.
Rubiales had told a British journalist that it was “nothing but a moment of happiness, of great joy,” adding that “my intentions were noble, 100% non-sexual, 100%, I repeat 100%.”
At the time, he refused to leave his post, claimed “a little consensual kiss” and attacked “fake feminism.” He had claimed that he had sought permission from Hermoso.
The latter had firmly rejected this claim, saying in a press release that she had “felt vulnerable and the victim of an attack, an impulsive and sexist act, inappropriate and without my consent”.
Feeling the heat, Rubiales finally tendered his resignation on September 10, with the aim of what he said was to protect Spanish football, saying he had been the victim of a “disproportionate campaign”.
Jenni Hermoso was honored with her Mexican team Pachuca for their world championship title on September 10, 2023. AFP
In court
The scandal also received a lot of attention in court, as Hermoso filed a complaint of sexual assault. The Spanish judiciary therefore banned Rubiales from getting within 200 m of the alleged victim.
A judge must decide whether to file formal charges against Rubiales, who is also accused of “coercion” for allegedly pressuring Hermoso and her relatives to change their version of the facts.
As in Canada, the Spanish penal code considers a non-consensual kiss to be sexual assault. In this European country, those guilty face fines or up to four years in prison.
Luis Rubiales leaving the court, in Madrid, September 15, 2023. AFP
Players’ strike
The Spanish Football Association also faced an outcry from its members and especially the national players. The panel ultimately decided to fire several senior officials, including women’s team coach Jorge Vilda, who is close to Rubiales and whose domineering and intimidating style has been criticized. Specifically, he allegedly told the girls to keep their hotel room door open.
Her successor, Montse Tomé, didn’t have an easy time of it in her early days as the players went on strike and demanded far-reaching changes.
Former Spanish women’s football coach Jorge Vilda. AFP
Degrading examples
At the beginning of September, the daily newspaper The New York Times revealed that sexism, machismo, paternalism and verbal violence had long been part of the everyday life of Spanish players.
A former president of the Spanish Women’s League has already been told her place is at home with her child.
Rubiales’ predecessor Ignacio Quereda had made this deadly statement to the players: “What you really need is a good man and a big penis.”
Rubiales also gave his protégés electronic tablets instead of a cash prize at the end of a competition and said: “I know what women want.”
Jenni Hermoso takes a selfie with fans after training in Madrid, October 23, 2023. AFP
Play the heroines
The representatives of La Roja reached an agreement with their association and defeated Switzerland and Sweden at the end of September. And last Friday it was Hermoso who played the heroine in her return to selection against Italy.
“What could be better than feeling good again and scoring the winning goal… Now all I can do is smile!” the 33-year-old star told Spanish public television.
– With AFP