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German FIFA suspends Spanish FA President from all football-related activities over kissing a player
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FIFA suspends Spanish FA President from all football-related activities over kissing a player
Fédération Internationale de Football Association [FIFA] have suspended the president of the Spanish FA, Luis Rubiales almost after a week following the incident where he kissed Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips during the Women’s World Cup final.
Rubiales has refused to resign despite immense pressure from the women’s team.
Hermoso stressed that she did not consent to the kiss and the women’s is said to be set to announce that they would not take part in national matches until the federation changes its leadership.
On Saturday, FIFA published a statement saying Rubiales would immediately be suspended “from all football-related activities at national and international level” for an “initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings” that were opened against him earlier in the week.
“In order to preserve, among other factors, the fundamental rights of Hermoso, Rubiales was also ordered to refrain, through himself or third parties, from contacting or attempting to contact her and those close to her,” FIFA disciplinary judge, Jorge Palacio said.
The Spanish football federation recently threatened to take legal action against Hermoso, but they have also been ordered to refrain from contacting her and those close to her.
Spanish FA released a statement on Saturday saying Rubiales deputy Pedro Rocha Junco would become the federation’s interim president.
“Luis Rubiales has stated that he will defend himself legally in the competent bodies, he has full confidence in the Fifa bodies and reiterates that, in this way, he is given the opportunity to begin his defence so that the truth prevails and his complete innocence is proven,” part of the statement read.
There was no immediate comment from Uefa, where Rubiales is a vice-president, a position that comes with an annual income of €250,000 plus expenses.
The FIFA committee said it would not provide any further information on the disciplinary proceedings until a final decision is taken. There was no timeline given as to when this decision, which could bring about sanctions that range from a warning to suspension, will be made.
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