According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the kiss attack by Spanish Football Association President Luis Rubiales “should never have happened”. “The celebrations of the well-deserved success of these wonderful winners have been marred by what happened after the final whistle,” Infantino wrote on Instagram on Thursday, adding, referring to the controversial kiss, “This should never have happened.”
But it happened and “FIFA’s disciplinary body immediately assumed its responsibility and took the necessary measures,” emphasized the president of the world football association. The disciplinary process will continue its lawful course, he said.
After Spain’s World Cup victory in Sydney on August 20, the head of the Spanish football association RFEF held the head of Spain international Jennifer Hermoso with both hands and kissed her on the mouth. Rubiales’ abusive behavior had sparked international outrage and a crisis in Spanish football. The world football association FIFA had initially suspended Rubiales for 90 days.
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“We must continue to focus on how we can support women and women’s football even more in the future, both on and off the field,” Infantino urged after the incident.
