(CNN Spanish) — The International Association of Football Federations (FIFA) announced on Thursday that the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, was being investigated by its regulatory body for kissing soccer player Jennifer Hermoso without consent at the Women’s World Cup awards ceremony. It peaked this Sunday.
FIFA said the coach was notified on Thursday that the process would begin.
Additionally, Spain’s professional women’s soccer league called for Rubiales to be disqualified for “very serious facts and behavior” when she kissed the forward of the women’s soccer team.
In a statement, the Professional Women’s Soccer League —Liga F— announced that it has filed a complaint against Rubiales with the president of the High Sports Council seeking her disqualification for the above facts.
Hermoso gets a kiss from Rubiales after the World Cup final. (Photo: No Llamas/Ciba USA/AP)
“One of the greatest achievements in the history of Spanish sport has been disgraced by the embarrassing behavior of the highest representative of Spanish football, who, once again, has demonstrated that he is not up to the task, guided by his persistent and usual desire to lead. It holds,” the statement said.
“An employer cannot tolerate holding his worker’s head and kissing him on the mouth,” Liga F added in its statement, also referring to Rubiales’ celebration in the box “grabbing his genitalia” next to Spain’s Queen Letizia. and Infanta Sophia.
The F League says Rubiales gave Hermoso “not only about the kiss,” but “an attitude far removed from the values of our society.”
The F League’s complaint comes after the head of the Spanish government’s High Sports Council (CSD) said it would take action against Rubiales if the RFEF did not.
The RFEF called an extraordinary general assembly this Friday to deal with the consequences of Rubiales’ unwanted kiss on the mouth of Spanish star Jennifer Hermozo during the medal ceremony after Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final against England. .
Pressure mounts against Luis Rubiales: Hermoso’s words in union statement
The outrage surrounding Rubiales was fueled by a video of him hugging Hermoso and placing both hands on her head before kissing her. Then he pats her on the back as she walks.
The RFFE official has faced mounting pressure in recent days.
Rubiales has come under renewed pressure from the two main Spanish bodies related to women’s football for her behavior after La Roja’s World Cup victory.
The union representing Spanish footballers called for the RFEF president to be punished for kissing Hermoso. Done by A liberation In this the footballer expresses himself.
“My union FUTPRO, in coordination with my agency TMJ, is responsible for protecting my interests and acting as intermediaries in this matter,” the footballer wrote in a press release from the union.
“It is essential that our team, current world champions, is always represented by people who present the values of equality and respect in all areas,” the Spanish Professional Footballers’ Association (FUTPRO) said in a statement.
“With the union working, we may never see actions that go unpunished, they are sanctioned and appropriate steps are taken to protect footballers from unacceptable actions.”
FUTPRO has pledged to fight against “sexual harassment or abuse, masculinity and sexism” in its statement.
“It is imperative that we continue the fight for equality, a fight that our veterans have so steadfastly led that has led us to where we are today,” the union said.
Although Rubiales apologized and admitted he had “made a mistake” by kissing Hermoso, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Rubiales’ apology was “not enough”.
“It shows that our country has a long way to go in terms of equality and respect and equality of rights between women and men. It is true that Rubiales had some behavior in this regard. ” said Sanchez.
“Mr. Rubiales’ apology is not enough. I don’t think they are enough, so Mr. Rubiales should continue to take steps to clarify what we all saw,” he added.
U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe slammed Rubiales’ behavior: “It made me think about how much we have to put up with,” Rapinoe told The Atlantic when asked about the kiss and the issues surrounding La Roja. Competition.
“Think of all that the Spanish team has had to endure: some of the players who showed up last year [para protestar contra los malos tratos] They’re not on the team yet,” Rapinoe said.
Back in Spain, politicians across the spectrum echoed the Spanish Prime Minister’s criticism.
“We maintain our demand for the resignation of the man who humiliated and assaulted a woman. His excuses are completely worthless,” Yolanda Díaz, second vice president of the Spanish government and leader of the Sumer party, told a press conference.
In the same way, the parliamentary spokesperson and general secretary of the Popular Party, Kuka Kamarra, said, “All company leaders should have exemplary behavior, and exemplary behavior should be respect for women, and in this sense what we have seen is a shame. To say the least, it’s just a shame I think.”
In an interview with Spanish newspaper ABC on Tuesday, Spain central defender Irene Paredes said the unwanted kiss was “an unfortunate gesture” but she and the team hope it “doesn’t spoil everything” the team has achieved. World Cup, Women.
