Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
WEKU
WEKU
Juliana Kim

Spain's soccer chief Luis Rubiales is temporarily suspended after World Cup kiss

Spanish Royal Football Federation president Luis Rubiales gives a press conference on Nov. 19, 2019 at Las Rozas football sports city near Madrid. (Oscar Del Pozo/AFP via Getty Images)

FIFA on Saturday suspended the head of Spain's soccer federation, Luis Rubiales, following allegations that he forcibly kissed a player during the Women's World Cup medal ceremony.

The suspension will bar Rubiales from all soccer-related activities at both the national and international level for the next 90 days while a disciplinary committee reviews the incident.

The Spanish Soccer Federation confirmed on Saturday that Rubiales and the federation have been notified of the suspension. The soccer chief, who has adamantly denied wrongdoing, said he plans to defend himself.

"He fully trusts FIFA and reiterates that, in this way, he is given the opportunity to begin his defense so that the truth prevails and his complete innocence is proven," the federation said in a statement.

The temporary removal comes after growing calls for his resignation. On Friday, players from the Spanish national women's soccer team vowed to not play again until Rubiales and other leaders step down.

"FIFA reiterates its absolute commitment to respect the integrity of all persons and therefore condemns with the utmost vigour any behaviour to the contrary," the governing body wrote in a statement on Saturday.

The global governing body for soccer said Rubiales' conduct may have violated its Disciplinary Code.

The kiss, broadcast live around the world, took place on Sunday after Spain had won its first ever Women's World Cup in Sydney. During the tournament's medal ceremony, Rubiales tightly hugged star forward Jennifer Hermoso. He then pulled her head toward his face and planted a kiss on her lips — which Hermoso later said she did not give consent to.

Spain's government announced it also opened its own proceedings against Rubiales, adding that if the country's Sport Court rules that Rubiales violated laws or regulations, it could declare him unfit to hold office at the federation.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.