Royal Spanish Football Federation officials demanded the immediate resignation of President Luis Rubiales in Madrid on Monday. The demand comes after Rubiales faced backlash for his unwanted World Cup kiss of player Jenni Hermoso, which was deemed to have “damaged the image of Spanish football” by the regional presidents of the federation. Demonstrations supporting Hermoso took place in the capital city of Spain.
Rubiales, in response to the controversy, dismissed it as “fake feminism” and refused to step down during a general assembly at federation headquarters in Madrid. However, the federation released a statement requesting his resignation due to the “unacceptable behaviors that have seriously damaged the image of Spanish football.”
In light of the incident, FIFA, the governing body for soccer, has suspended Rubiales for 90 days pending disciplinary proceedings. Spanish prosecutors have also launched an investigation into Rubiales for an “alleged crime of sexual aggression” and will inform Hermoso of her rights as a victim. Hermoso has denied giving consent to the kiss, contrary to Rubiales’ claim that it was consensual and initiated by the midfielder.
The federation had previously threatened legal action against Hermoso, accusing her of lying about the exchange. However, footage of the incident on YouTube shows Rubiales forcibly kissing Hermoso on the lips. The Supreme Sports Council of Spain has also petitioned for Rubiales’ removal, calling his behavior “unacceptable.” More than 80 Spanish players have vowed not to participate in international competitions until Rubiales steps down or is removed from his position.
The federation has expressed support for the women’s soccer team and their victory in the World Cup. They have acknowledged the significance of their success for Spanish sports and have called for a restructuring of the federation to usher in a new era of management in Spanish football. They have also requested interim president Pedro Rocha to withdraw a request for UEFA to suspend federation teams from competition.
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