Tag: Luis Rubiales

Luis Rubiales: Spanish FA president resigns after kissing player at Women’s World Cup final

Mr Rubiales’ decision comes after he was suspended by FIFA and the Spanish football federation called on him to resign following the incident.

Luis Rubiales kisses Jennifer Hermoso

Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has resigned after he kissed a player following the country’s Women’s World Cup win.

Mr Rubiales, who was suspended by football’s governing body FIFA over the kiss, said in an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored on TalkTV that he was stepping down because he “cannot continue my work”.

His decision comes after the Spanish football federation previously called for him to resign.

Asked what led him to make the decision to quit, Mr Rubiales said: “My father, my daughters, I spoke with them… Some friends, very close to me, they say ‘Luis, you have to focus on your dignity and to continue your life, because you know probably that you are going to damage people you love and the sport you love’.

“But this is more a question of not only me, the attitude of me can affect third parties that are very important.”

Mr Rubiales also posted a document on X, formerly known as Twitter, confirming he had handed in his resignation to the acting president of the Spanish football federation Pedro Rocha.

He said he had also resigned as one of UEFA’s vice presidents.

In the statement, he said the suspension by FIFA and other proceedings means he cannot return to the role he held for more than five years and that trying to hold on to the position would not contribute to “anything positive”.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/luis-rubiales-spanish-fa-president-says-he-will-resign-after-kissing-player-at-womens-world-cup-final-12957459

Spain’s Hermoso files criminal complaint over Rubiales kiss, prosecutor says

Soccer Football – Spanish Soccer Federation Meeting – Ciudad Del Futbol Las Rozas, Las Rozas, Spain – August 25, 2023 President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales announces he will be staying as president during the meeting RFEF/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

Spanish soccer star Jenni Hermoso has lodged a criminal complaint over the unsolicited kiss by football federation boss Luis Rubiales after Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup, the national prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday.

Hermoso gave her testimony on Tuesday and the complaint will be processed “as soon as possible”, the prosecutor added.

With the complaint, Rubiales could face criminal charges in addition to the ongoing inquiry by Spain’s top sport court for “serious misconduct” and an investigation by world soccer governing body FIFA, which has provisionally suspended Rubiales from office for 90 days.

Neither Hermoso’s representatives nor Rubiales were immediately available for comment.

Rubiales grabbed Hermoso’s head and kissed her on the lips during the medal-giving ceremony that followed Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final on Aug. 20.

Late last month, the prosecutor for Spain’s High Court said Rubiales could face a sexual assault charge, which carries a prison term of between one and four years, if Hermoso, who lives and plays in Mexico, were to file a complaint.

The High Court has jurisdiction over the case as the incident took place abroad – in Sydney, Australia.

Hermoso said she did not want to be kissed, and that she felt “vulnerable and a victim of an aggression”. Rubiales, who has so far refused to resign despite heavy pressure, said the kiss was “spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual”.

Rubiales’ behaviour has sparked outrage in Spain and abroad. He also grabbed his crotch while standing close to Spain’s Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter during the final.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/spains-hermoso-files-legal-complaint-over-rubiales-kiss-prosecutor-2023-09-06/

Spanish men’s team express solidarity with women after Luis Rubiales kiss

While expressing solidarity with their female counterparts, the men’s team added the women’s team has had their success ‘tarnished’ by the kissing row.

Luis Rubiales with Spain team members in 2022

The captains of the Spanish men’s team have expressed solidarity with the national women’s side after what they called “unacceptable behaviour” by FA chief Luis Rubiales.

Álvaro Morata, César Azpilicueta, Rodrigo Hernández and Marco Asensio issued a statement on behalf of the entire team, in which they said the World Cup-winning success of the women’s team had been “tarnished”.

Mr Rubiales has faced widespread criticism for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the final on 20 August.

In the statement, the captains say: “Once concentrated in Las Rozas, the national team players want to highlight several issues regarding the latest events that have damaged the image of Spanish football.

“First of all, we want to convey, once again, our pride and our most sincere congratulations to the women’s national team for the title of world champions in Sydney.

“A historical milestone full of meaning that will mark a before and after in Spanish women’s football, inspiring many women with a triumph of incalculable value.

“For this reason, we want to regret and express our solidarity with the players who have seen their success tarnished.

“We want to reject what we consider unacceptable behaviour on the part of Mr Rubiales, who has not lived up to the institution he represents.

“We place ourselves firmly and clearly on the side of the values ​​that sport represents. Spanish football must be an engine of respect, inspiration, inclusion and diversity and must set an example with its conduct both on and off the field.

“From today, we face a decisive concentration for the future of Spanish football on our way to qualify for Euro 2024 with two games against Georgia and Cyprus. We would like that, from now on, we could focus on sporting issues given the relevance of the challenges that lie ahead.”

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/spanish-mens-team-express-solidarity-with-women-after-luis-rubiales-kiss-12955101

Luis Rubiales: Under fire Spanish FA president again defends ‘mutual and consented’ World Cup final kiss

Mr Rubiales grabbed player Jennifer Hermoso and kissed her on the lips during the presentation ceremony following Spain’s World Cup final win over England.

Luis Rubiales in 2018

Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has issued a fresh defence after kissing a player on the lips following the Women’s World Cup final.

Mr Rubiales’ statement comes as the Spanish football federation called for him to step down on Monday.

The 46-year-old has faced widespread criticism for kissing player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final on 20 August.

In his statement, he said: “I made some obvious mistakes, which I sincerely regret from the bottom of my heart.

“The spontaneity and happiness of the historic moment led us to carry out a mutual and consented act, the product of great enthusiasm.

“At no time was there any aggression, indeed, there was not even the slightest discomfort, but an overflowing joy in both.

“I repeat: with the consent of both parties, both in the affectionate hugs, as well as in the peak and subsequent farewell full of affectionate mutual gestures, that occurred on the medals delivery stage.

“I have also felt the growing support of people on the street and on social media.”

Earlier, the coach of the Spanish men’s national football team, Luis de la Fuente, apologised for applauding Mr Rubiales during the speech in which he refused to resign.

Mr Rubiales had claimed in the speech last Friday that he was the victim of a “social assassination”.

The men’s coach was sitting in the front row during Mr Rubiales’ speech and clapped when he attacked “false feminism”.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/luis-rubiales-under-fire-spanish-fa-president-again-defends-mutual-and-consented-world-cup-final-kiss-12952611

Who is Luis Rubiales – the Spanish FA boss at the centre of the World Cup kissing row?

Rubiales, now 46, mainly played in Spain’s Segunda Division, before a brief stint in Scotland. He went on to become president of Spain’s main football union, before heading up the Spanish FA.

Luis Rubiales. Pic: AP

Instead of celebrating its Women’s World Cup triumph, Spanish football has been overshadowed by the actions of one of its most powerful men.

Luis Rubiales, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has been suspended by FIFA for 90 days after grabbing and kissing player Jenni Hermoso after the final in Sydney on 20 August.

She says that in “no moment” did she consent to the kiss.

He has remained defiant in the face of mounting criticism, saying he’s the subject of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists”.

In an extraordinary speech last week, the 46-year-old said: “Do you really think I deserve this hunt? People demanding my resignation? Is this so serious for me to resign, having done the best management of Spanish football?”

He asked: “Do you think I need to resign?” – before going on to say five times that he would not.

As his fate hangs in the balance – with his own organisation calling for him to go, Sky News looks at his rise to the top of Spanish football – and the controversies along the way.

Late start to footballing career

Luis Rubiales was born on the Spanish Canary Islands in 1977 and grew up in the southern province of Granada.

It wasn’t until the early 2000s and his late 20s that his football career took off.

As a defender, he played mainly in Spain’s second division league for clubs such as Mallorca B, Lleida, Xerez and Levante.

Playing for Levante in February 2007

During his time at Levante, they were promoted to La Liga, with Mr Rubiales making 53 appearances for them between 2004 and 2008.

The first minor controversy of his career also came while he was there, leading his fellow players out on strike over unpaid wages.

At the age of 32, in 2009, he signed a one-year deal to move to Scotland and play for the Hamilton Accies – but left after just two weeks and retired back to Spain.

Union chief

The following year he became the president of the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) union.

While his time there was free of scandal, since the World Cup kissing row emerged, the union’s then-marketing and commercial director, Tamara Ramos, has claimed she quit the AFE having been publicly humiliated by Rubiales on several occasions.

The Spanish federation has accused Ms Ramos of “taking advantage of the current media climate”.

Last year Mr Rubiales insisted there is a “campaign to discredit him”.

He claimed that he “cannot guarantee one day they will put a bag of cocaine in the boot of my car” – without making clear who he was referring to.

Source : https://news.sky.com/story/who-is-luis-rubiales-the-spanish-fa-boss-at-the-centre-of-the-world-cup-kissing-row-12949040

FIFA suspends Spain soccer federation president Luis Rubiales for 90 days after World Cup win kiss

FIFA suspended Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales on Saturday while its disciplinary committee investigates his conduct at the Women’s World Cup final, which included kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s victory.

The provisional suspension comes less than a week after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in Sydney, Australia, and a day after Rubiales refused to resign, despite intense pressure from the Spanish government, women players, soccer clubs and officials. Rubiales’ conduct, which also included grabbing his crotch, has overshadowed the enormous accomplishment of Spain’s first Women’s World Cup title.

Hermoso has said she did not consent to the kiss, and the team’s players have said they will not play any more games as long as Rubiales is in charge. It was not immediately clear how FIFA’s latest intervention might affect that.

FIFA said it removed Rubiales from soccer duties for 90 days “pending the disciplinary proceedings opened” against him Thursday.

The president of Spain’s women’s league, Beatriz Álvarez, told The Associated Press that she believed this was the end of Rubiales’ soccer career. The league filed one of several official complaints against Rubiales that Spain’s government has received.

“Luis Rubiales is finished. He has dug his own grave with his acts and his words,” Álvarez said. “Whether it is because of the action of FIFA or the Spanish government, I am sure that Luis Rubiales won’t spend another minute as president of the Spanish federation.”

The federation appointed vice-president Pedro Rocha as acting president. It added in a statement that Rubiales “has complete trust in the FIFA’s procedures and will use this opportunity to start his defense so that the truth is known and he is proven innocent.”

Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales sparks controversy after kissing & grabbing World Cup winners including Barcelona star Jennifer Hermoso

Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has sparked controversy after kissing and grabbing players during the 2023 Women’s World Cup medal presentation.

Spain’s women’s team secured their first global crown when seeing off England 1-0 during a showpiece event in Sydney, Australia.

Olga Carmona scored the only goal of the game, with Jennifer Hermoso able to miss a second-half penalty – which was saved by Mary Earps – without impacting the final outcome.

Wild celebrations were sparked at the final whistle, with La Roja able to get their hands on the most prestigious of trophies.

Rubiales was in attendance and formed part of the post-match formalities.

He was on hand to congratulate triumphant members of Jorge Vilda’s squad after they had received their winners’ medals from FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

His behaviour has attracted unwelcome attention, though, when full focus should have been locked on those that helped to deliver a historic win on the field.

Rubiales was caught on camera grabbing Spanish stars, with Hermoso kissed on the lips at one stage.

Source: https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/spanish-fa-president-luis-rubiales-controversy-kissing-grabbing-world-cup-winners-barcelona-star-jennifer-hermoso/blt8298b2302f4ed436

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