Spain’s Sports Administrative Court (TAD) has opened disciplinary proceedings for “serious misconduct” against suspended Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales after he forced player Jenni Hermoso to give a kiss, officials told AFP. Sources familiar with the case.
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The initiation of proceedings for “serious misconduct” and not “very serious”, as requested by the Spanish government, does not allow the Supreme Sports Council (CSD) to impose a new ban on Rubiales, who has already been suspended for 90 days by FIFA as a precautionary measure.
A statement confirmed by Spanish Culture and Sports Minister Miquel Iceta at a press conference on Friday, referring to the laws of professional sports in the country.
The TAD had already been advising since last Monday after the Higher Sports Council, a government agency, filed a complaint with the Sports Administrative Court last Friday about two “very serious crimes,” possible “abuse of office,” and “acts that offend dignity or sport.” Decency” and called for the suspension of the President of the Federation.
“We remain convinced that this complaint has all the legal grounds to be treated as a very serious crime,” said the Secretary of State for Sport and President of the CSD, Victor Francos, on Monday.
Classifying the matter as “very serious” was necessary for the CSD to suspend Rubiales while awaiting a final ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAD).
Luis Rubiales, who caused international outrage during the World Cup medal ceremony when he unexpectedly kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth, has been suspended for 90 days by FIFA, which also opened disciplinary proceedings against him last week.
In addition to the sports justice system, the public prosecutor’s office of the National Auditorium, Spain’s main criminal court, has also decided to open a case of “sexual assault” against him, according to a press release.
The prosecutor’s office clarified that it relied on the player’s “public statements” but would contact her and suggest that she file a complaint, an essential step to advance the criminal case.