International Football Federation President Gianni Infantino reacted for the first time on Thursday to the scandal surrounding suspended Spanish soccer boss Luis Rubiales’ forced kiss, saying that “this should never have happened.”
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“The well-deserved celebration of these great champions was spoiled by what happened after the final whistle. And that’s what happened in the following days,” the leader wrote on his Instagram account.
“This should never have happened. But it happened and the FIFA disciplinary bodies immediately accepted their responsibility and took the necessary measures,” added Gianni Infantino.
Luis Rubiales sparked a wave of outrage around the world when he forcibly kissed Spanish international Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain’s coronation in the 2023 World Cup final in Sydney on August 20.
FIFA, which opened disciplinary proceedings against him on August 24, suspended him two days later from all football activities at national and international level for a period of 90 days while the investigation continues.
“The disciplinary procedure will continue its legitimate course,” notes Gianni Infantino in the message published on Instagram, which accompanies ten photos taken in the moments after the victory of La Roja, where we see him on the podium with the Spaniards.
“On our side, he adds, we need to continue to focus on how we can be more supportive of women and women’s football in the future, both on and off the pitch.” Defend true values and respect the players as people as well as for their fantastic performances,” he continues.
In Spain, the Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office announced on Monday the opening of an investigation into “sexual assault” against Luis Rubiales, who defended himself and spoke of a “consensual kiss”, a version that Jenni Hermoso categorically denied.
The suspended president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is also the subject of a complaint by the Spanish government to the Administrative Court of Sport (TAD), the competent court in Spain in sports matters.
If the TAD considers the case admissible and decides to initiate proceedings, the government may suspend him from his duties within 48 hours until the case is decided on the merits.
The presidents of Spain’s regional football associations, summoned by the RFEF’s interim president on Monday, have called for his immediate resignation.