Spain’s Supreme Sports Court (Tad) has blocked a suspension of Luis Rubiales. At the same time, however, the court approved an investigation against the 46-year-old President of the Football Association. The Spanish media report.
The Tad classified the Rubiales case as “serious misconduct” rather than “very serious misconduct” as desired by the Spanish government. Had Tad followed the government’s request, the National Sports Council (CSD) could have banned Rubiales for the duration of the trial. Should the Tad find Rubiales guilty, he could face a two-year ban for only “grave misconduct”.
Sports Minister Miquel Iceta regretted that the CSD could no longer directly suspend Rubiales. However, the sports authority will now apply to the Tad that the court suspend the sports boss for the duration of the proceedings, Iceta said. This possibility is provided for by law. “We will not tolerate a lack of respect for women’s rights,” Iceta said.
Shortly thereafter, Spanish media published a statement that Rubiales had spread. In it he criticizes Icetas without mentioning him by name. “I am concerned that some of those who should uphold the separation of powers in our country are taking sides and putting pressure on me instead of standing out and allowing justice to be administered with all guarantees,” the longer text reads. Rubiales again complained in the statement that he was being “lynched politically and in the media”.
He will initially not be able to exercise his office because the world football association FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against him last Saturday and suspended the 46-year-old for an initial period of 90 days. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is currently headed by interim president Pedro Rocha. The association is also demanding Rubiales’ resignation.
Rubiales had kissed the player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth at the award ceremony of the Spanish soccer world champions in Australia. The official then came under increasing pressure, and many in Spain had called for his resignation. However, in an angry speech to an extraordinary general assembly of the RFEF last Friday, Rubiales had denied it. The kiss was by mutual consent, he affirmed. However, Hermoso has denied this several times.
