FIFA on Thursday launched disciplinary proceedings against the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, after he forced a kiss on player Jenni Hermoso during Spain’s victory in Sunday’s World Cup final.
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“These facts could constitute a breach of article 13, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” specifies the world body, which has so far remained silent, while criticism and calls for his resignation against Rubiales multiply in the Spanish political world and, more broadly, in football.
The text dedicated to “discrimination” to which FIFA refers specifically punishes “damaging the dignity or integrity” of a person “because of their sex” with a ban “of at least ten games” or other appropriate disciplinary measures”.
Whatever the decision of the Zurich-based organization’s disciplinary committee, it will therefore not rule on the whereabouts of Luis Rubiales, who will be on the menu at an extraordinary general assembly of the Spanish federation (RFEF) on Friday.
“FIFA reaffirms its absolute commitment to respecting the integrity of all and therefore strongly condemns any behavior contrary to this value,” said the press release from the body, which was urged by players’ union FIFPro to launch an investigation on Wednesday evening.
In pictures taken on the podium at Sydney Stadium on Sunday night, shortly after Spain’s coronation against England, we see Luis Rubiales taking striker Jennifer Hermoso’s head between his two hands before surprisingly kissing gives the mouth.