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FIFA has opened a disciplinary case against Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales after he kissed a player on the lips while celebrating the team’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final.
The governing body’s disciplinary committee will weigh if Rubiales violated “the basic rules of decent conduct” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute.”
Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy and medal ceremony after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England.
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Minutes earlier, Rubiales grabbed his crotch as a victory gesture in the exclusive section of seats with Queen Letizia of Spain and 16-year-old Princess Sofía standing nearby.
Hermoso has said she did not like the kiss and the national players’ union representing her — which Rubiales once led — called for his conduct to not go unpunished.
“FIFA reiterates its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behavior to the contrary,” the organisation said in a statement.
FIFA gave no timetable for a ruling. The body’s disciplinary judges can impose sanctions on individuals ranging from warnings and fines to suspensions from the sport.
Rubiales later apologised and admitted he’d “made a mistake”, but acting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said “what we saw was an unacceptable gesture” and the apology was “not enough”.
The FIFA disciplinary panel is chaired by Colombian lawyer Jorge Palacio, a former labor court judge and member of the state constitutional court.
The case likely will be judged by three of the 16 panel members. Three of the 16 are women, from England, Mexico and Thailand.
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Rubiales is a UEFA vice president and was the European football body’s most senior representative at the Women’s World Cup final, though it has yet to comment on his conduct.
The Spanish football federation, which the 46-year-old Rubiales has led for five years, is due to have an emergency meeting in Madrid where the agenda allows questions on the issue.
It is unclear if the meeting will shore up support for Rubiales or respond to widespread pressure from Spanish government and football officials to remove him.
Rubiales, who led the Spanish players’ union for eight years before taking over as federation president in 2018, is currently heading the Europe-led bid to host the men’s World Cup in 2030.
Spain is bidding with neighbouring Portugal and Morocco, and also possibly Ukraine.
