The world football association FIFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish association president Luis Rubiales because of the kiss scandal at the women’s World Cup. “FIFA reaffirms its unreserved commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and therefore strongly condemns any behavior to the contrary,” said the world governing body on Thursday. No further information would be given until the “final decision”.
Rubiales kissed the player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth at the award ceremony after winning the World Cup final last Sunday. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee is investigating a breach of Article 13 of its own regulations, which is entitled “Offending behavior and breaches of the principles of fair play”. Rubiales is Vice-President of the European Football Union UEFA.
The behavior of the 46-year-old had triggered great criticism and outrage. “What we have seen is unacceptable,” said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The Spanish federation called an extraordinary general assembly for this Friday. Rubiales had – with a delay – admitted a mistake on Monday. He kissed Hermoso on the mouth “spontaneously” and “without any bad intentions or bad will”.
“Protect the rights of our players”: Spain’s soccer world champion Jennifer Hermoso: Image: dpa
Meanwhile, Jennifer Hermoso called for action against Rubiales. This emerges from a joint statement by the 33-year-old with the players’ union Futpro. In it, the Spanish federation (RFEF) is asked to “establish the necessary protocols, protect the rights of our players and take exemplary measures”.
The union, which represents Hermoso’s interests in this matter, “rejects any attitude or behavior that violates the rights of women footballers,” it said. Futpro is committed to ensuring that such acts “never go unpunished, that they are sanctioned and that the appropriate measures are taken to protect female footballers from acts that we consider unacceptable”.
Published/Updated: Recommendations: 1 Hans-Günter Kellner, Madrid Published/Updated: Recommendations: 21 Published/Updated: Recommendations: 23
The international players’ union FIFPro, which has called for an investigation by FIFA under the world governing body’s code of ethics, wrote that Rubiales had “soiled” the “special moment” for Hermoso. Physical advances without consent are not appropriate or acceptable in any context, especially when placed in a vulnerable position by someone in a position of power in their workplace.
