Luis Rubiales is still in the spotlight after his controversial kiss to Spanish striker Jennifer Hermoso during the presentation ceremony of the Women’s FIFA World Cup.
FIFA, the official governing body of international soccer, is pushing for Luis Rubiales to be banned from soccer for 15 years. Rubiales was given a 90-day interim suspension by FIFA last week, but the Spanish FA continued to support him.
🚨 FIFA will push for Luis Rubiales to be banned from football for… 15 years!
(Source: @MailSport ) pic.twitter.com/AYC6lbAIwZ
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 29, 2023
The association withdrew its support for Rubiales after FIFA threatened to ban Spain’s national teams and elite clubs from international competition if the federation did not accept their punishment of Rubiales. Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) chiefs then asked Rubiales to resign with immediate effect, saying that his “unacceptable” behavior had damaged the image of Spanish soccer and its federation.
The proposed 15-year ban is the maximum permitted by FIFA’s statutes. Rubiales was last week given a 90-day interim suspension by FIFA. In another remarkable development on Monday, it emerged that one of Rubiales’ final acts before his suspension last Friday was to instruct the Spanish Federation to write to UEFA.
The letter complained of government interference and asked for the federation to be suspended, which would mean their national teams and clubs would be automatically barred from European competitions.
Recent reports also pointed out how Rubiales’ mother, Angeles Bejar, has locked herself in Divina Pastora church in Motril on the southern Spanish coast on a hunger strike ‘indefinitely’. Bejar told EFE that the “inhuman and bloody hunt that they are doing with my son is something he does not deserve.”
Spanish women protest on the streets of Madrid against Luis Rubiales
Another remarkable development in this story is that protestors have taken to the streets of Madrid in support of Spanish World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso. The protestors, mainly women, are calling for the removal of Luis Rubiales after the controversial kiss to Jennifer Hermoso.
Hermoso, who has said she did not consent to the kiss and felt like a victim of aggression, has been warmly supported not just by players but by many in wider society.
Protestors have taken to the streets of Madrid in support of Spanish World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso ❤️🇪🇸
The protesters are calling for the removal of Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales after he kissed Hermoso without her consent during the medal… pic.twitter.com/J3ALPmCoot
— KEEPUP (@keepupau) August 29, 2023
The Spanish striker was present among the spectators to support his ex-teammates in Atlético Madrid at the Women’s Cup final between Atlético Madrid and AC Milan on Saturday evening. She was applauded by the crowd, and the players at the match held a banner reading, “With you, Jennifer Hermoso.”
Feminist groups have called a demonstration on Monday in Madrid entitled “With You Jenni” in support of the player. Similar demonstrations were staged by feminist groups in Madrid, Santander, and other parts of the country calling for Rubiales’ resignation.
