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FIFA suspends 90-day job of Spanish football federation president over 'forced kiss controversy'


FIFA has decided to suspend Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Association, for 90 days after causing controversy by kissing a player during the 2023 Australian and New Zealand Women's World Cup Awards.

FIFA quoted Jorge Ivan Palacio, chairman of the disciplinary committee, as saying on the 26th, "We decided to suspend Rubiales' authority in all areas related to soccer for 90 days by applying Article 51 of the relevant regulations."

The disciplinary action is a punishment for President Rubiales' unexpected behavior during the Women's World Cup awards ceremony held at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, on the 20th. At that time, President Rubiales hugged each player and kissed him on the cheek while congratulating the Spanish players on the podium to receive trophies and medals right after winning the championship. Then, when Yenifer Hermoso, the hero of the final goal, appeared, he suddenly grabbed his head with both hands and kissed him.

In this regard, as Hermoso later confessed that he was not in a good mood (in relation to the situation in which he was suddenly kissed), criticism poured out that Chairman Rubiales' actions amounted to sexual violence. Spain's Women's Soccer League urged Spain to resign, saying, "Spain's World Cup victory has been marred by the scandal of President Rubiales." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also issued an official statement saying, "Spanish football has been disgraced." A total of 66 Spanish women's soccer players, including 23 players who participated in the Women's World Cup, declared, "If the president's system continues, I will boycott even if I am transferred to the Spanish national team."

As the situation worsened, Chairman Rubiales apologized, saying, "I admit that my behavior was wrong." However, he did not accept the demand for resignation. Rather, it raised controversy with Nuance's remarks that he confirmed Ermoso's intention in advance before the action in question.

In a related development, FIFA issued an additional order to keep President Rubiales away from Hermoso for the time being. Direct contact as well as contact through a third party is not possible. FIFA notified the Spanish Football Association as well as the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) of the measure to seek cooperation so that the sanctions remain the same. Rubiales is also the vice president of UEFA.

Regarding the incident, Hermoso said on his social media account that "no victim should come out of any workplace due to actions without consent," repeatedly calling for the punishment of Chairman Rubiales.