Tag: Sports ethics

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/

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

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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