Law Spanish Soccer Federation Boss Resigned After Kissing Player On The Mouth Without Consent

[Arkain2K]

Recap:

- Spain won the Women's World Cup.
- 46 years old Spanish soccer federation's president Luis Rubiales celebrate by grabbing his crotch in a "victory gesture" while standing next to the Spanish Queen and her 16 year old Princess, then grab star player Jenni Hermoso's face and planted a kiss on her mouth without consent.
- Hermoso complains, national team refuse to play again until their creepy boss resigns.
- Rubiales refuses to resign and gave a fiery speech against "fake feminists" on front of the overwhelmingly-males Spanish soccer federation, which cheered him on and threatens to sue the player he kissed.
- FIFA suspend Rubiales, and now the Spanish government is filing a lawsuit to get him removed, most likely because this embarrassing episode gonna cost Spain their on-going bid to host the World Cup.

---

Spain's women's soccer players say they won't play again until Luis Rubiales resigns

Spain's World Cup champion women's soccer team say they won't play again until Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales resigns. The team released a statement Friday condemning Rubiales' behavior during ceremonies after the World Cup final, per Marca.

During the on-field celebration after Spain's 1-0 victory over England, Rubiales forcibly kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips. The moment was captured on video, prompting calls for Rubiales to resign. Rubiales apologized for his actions a day later and claimed that there was "no bad faith from either side."

Calls for Rubiales' resignation continued, including one from Spain's second deputy prime minister and minister of labor and social economy Yolanda Díaz, who called Rubiales' actions "an intolerable example of the machismo that women continue to endure."

Reports emerged Thursday suggesting that Rubiales would announce his resignation. However, he reversed course Friday, emphatically refusing to leave his post during an emergency general assembly with members of Spain's soccer federation, also known as the RFEF.

That led to an official statement from the women's team, a portion of which has been translated from Marca below.

"From our union we want to emphasize that no woman should feel the need to respond to the forceful images that the whole world has seen and of course, they should not be involved in non-consensual attitudes," the players indicate in the statement issued by FutPro.

"The players of the Spanish Soccer Team, current world champions, expect forceful answers from the public powers so that actions such as those contained do not go unpunished.

"After everything that happened during the Women's World Cup, we want to state that all the players who sign this letter will not return to a call for the National Team if the current leaders continue. The signing players are: Jennifer Hermoso; Alexia Putellas; Mass Rodriguez; Irene Paredes; Ona Batlle; Mariona Caldentey; Teresa Abelleira; Maria Perez; Tasting Coll; Aitana Bonmati; Laia Codina; Claudia Zornoza; Oihane Hernandez; Rocio Galvez; Irene Guerrero; Round Alba; Athena del Castillo; Eva Navarro; Enith Hall; Ivana Andres; Salma Paralluelo, Esther González, Olga Carmona (23 World Cup winners, editor's note); Patricia Guijarro; Lola Gallardo; Nerea Eizagirre; Ainhoa Moraza; Maria Leon "Mapi"; Sandra Cloths; Claudia Pina; Amaiur Sarriegi; Leila Ouahabi; Laia Alexandri; Lucia Garcia; Andrea Pereira; Vero Boquete; Ainhoa Tirapu; Sandra Villanova; Ana Romero "Willy"; Silvia Meseguer; Nagore Calderon; Carmen Arce "Kubalita"; Priscilla Borgia; Natalia Pablos; Susan Guerrero; Larraitz Lucas; Elizabeth Benedict; Amanda Sampedro; Isabel Fuentes; Elizabeth Sanchez; Mari Paz Azagra; Vanessa Gimbert; Virginia Torrecilla; Leire Landa; Elizabeth Ibarra; and Marta Torrejon."​

Earlier in the statement, Hermoso clarified that she did not consent to being kissed by Rubiales after the win. Rubiales claimed Friday that the kiss was mutual and used that to justify staying in his role. He also claimed that was the type of kiss he would give one of his daughters.

On Thursday, Borja Iglesias, a member of Spain's men's national team, said he would not play for the organization until Rubiales resigned.

Rubiales' announcement and refusal to step down were met with applause from members of the RFEF present at the assembly, including women's national team head coach Jorge Vilda.

FIFA announced Thursday that it would open an investigation into the matter. Following Rubiales' statements Friday, it could be up to FIFA to decide whether he is allowed to continue in his current role.

https://sports.yahoo.com/spains-wom...in-until-luis-rubiales-resigns-182910360.html

 

[Arkain2K]

Spain's Soccer President Refuses To Resign Despite Uproar Over Inappropriate Kiss
Luis Rubiales claimed he was a victim of a witch hunt by "false feminists."
By Joseph Wilson

| Aug 25, 2023

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The president of the Spanish soccer federation refused to resign Friday despite an uproar for kissing a player on the lips without her consent after the Women’s World Cup final.

Luis Rubiales defiantly told an emergency general assembly of the federation “I won’t resign” four times in quick succession and claimed he was a victim of a witch hunt by “false feminists.”

Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the award ceremony after Spain beat England in the final in Sydney, Australia, marring the title celebrations in front of a global audience.

Several Spanish media outlets had reported on Thursday that Rubiales was planning to step down.

Instead, he said the kiss was “mutual and with the consent” of Hermoso and painted himself as a victim. He received various applause from the overwhelming male assembly.

Among those who applauded his decision to cling to power were women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda and men’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente.

Hermoso had said in a video streamed on social media after the kiss last Sunday that “I didn’t like it, but what can I do.” Later, her players’ union issued a statement on her behalf saying that it would defend her interests and ensure that the act “does not go unpunished.”

The federation’s first attempt to respond to the scandal was a statement it released in the name of Hermoso in which she downplayed the incident. Later, a local media report by sports website Relevo.com said that the federation had coerced her into making the statement. The federation has denied this to The Associated Press.

In the version that Rubiales gave to the assembly, he said Hermoso had lifted him up in celebration and he asked her for “a little kiss?” and she said yes.

“The kiss was the same I could give one of my daughters,” Rubiales said.

He said that he would defend his honor in court against politicians, including two ministers, who called his kiss an act of sexual violence.

The 46-year-old Rubiales is under immense pressure to leave his post because of his conduct before and during the award ceremony following Spain’s 1-0 victory over England on Sunday.

Since Rubiales became a national embarrassment, criticism and calls for him to go have mounted day after day, with Spain’s acting prime minister, his government, players’ unions, and finally voices from inside men’s soccer saying he must go. The only relevant institution to remain silent has been European soccer body UEFA, for which Rubiales is a vice president. Until Friday’s assembly, he had received no public support in Spain.

FIFA, the governing body of soccer, opened a disciplinary case against Rubiales on Thursday. The FIFA disciplinary committee was tasked with weighing whether Rubiales violated its code relating to “the basic rules of decent conduct” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute.”

That move by FIFA came after Spain’s acting prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said Rubiales’ attempt to apologize, which came after he initially insulted his critics, was unconvincing and that “he must continue taking further steps” to be held accountable.

Spain’s Higher Council of Sports, the nation’s governing sports body, pledged it would act quickly to consider various formal complaints filed against Rubiales to see if he had broken Spain’s sports law or the federation’s own code of conduct that sanction sexist acts. If so, Rubiales would face being declared unfit to hold his office by Spain’s Administrative Court for Sports.

Shortly before the kiss, Rubiales grabbed his crotch in a victory gesture with Queen Letizia of Spain and 16-year old Princess Sofía standing nearby.

Rubiales only offered an apology for the crotch grab, saying it was in a moment of “euphoria” and directed toward Vilda on the field.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/luis-rubiales-refuses-to-resign_n_64e886f2e4b084a6f18a24c1

 

[Bagatur]

She should be ecstatic a man gave her attention, let alone kissed her, right? right????
seriously though, that's sexual assault and resignation should be the least of his worries.

 

[Arkain2K]

Spain’s football federation accuses World Cup winner of lying about kiss from president
By Aimee Lewis, Alex Stambaugh, Al Goodman and Gerardo Lemos, CNN | Sat August 26, 2023

Spain’s football federation has threatened to take legal action against one of the country’s star players, Jennifer Hermoso, accusing her of lying about being kissed by federation president Luis Rubiales.

Hermoso said Friday that at no point did she consent to a kiss by the country’s soccer chief – at the medal ceremony last Sunday after Spain had won the Women’s World Cup – writing on social media, “I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part.”

In a statement Friday, responding to Hermoso and Spain’s Association of Professional Soccer Players (FUTPRO), the federation defended Rubiales, who described the kiss as “mutual” and spoke of “unjust” campaigns and “fake feminism.”

“The evidence is conclusive. The President has not lied,” the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said, alongside descriptions of photos attempting to support Rubiales’ claim.

“The RFEF and the President will demonstrate each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable, by the player herself.

“The RFEF and the President, given the seriousness of the content of the press release from the Futpro Union, will initiate the corresponding legal actions,” the statement said.

The federation went on to say that players had “an obligation” to participate in matches “if they are called for it,” after all 23 members of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad, including Hermoso, and nearly 50 other professional women soccer players, said they would not play again for the country until Rubiales is removed from his position.

On Saturday, soccer’s world governing body FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales from “all football-related activities” after it said on Thursday that it had opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales as he may have violated the game’s “basic rules of decent conduct.”

Following Spain’s victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final, Rubiales was filmed kissing Hermoso on the lips after she had collected her winners’ medal, an act which the 33-year-old said later that day she “didn’t like” and “didn’t expect.”

Rubiales, who said on Monday he had “made a mistake,” has come under fierce criticism throughout the week, from the soccer world and some Spanish politicians, including Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, who said the apology for what he called an “unacceptable gesture” was “not enough.”

But on Friday the scandal escalated further when Rubiales made a defiant speech at the federation’s Extraordinary General Assembly, where he emphatically said he would not resign.

In responding to Rubiales’ speech, Hermoso said the RFEF president’s explanation of the incident was “categorically” false, adding: “I want to reiterate as I did before that I did not like this incident.”

She also described refusing requests to issue a statement to “alleviate the pressure” on Rubiales, saying she had been “under continuous pressure to make a statement that could justify Mr. Luis Rubiales’ actions.”

“Not only that, but in different ways and through different people, the REF has pressured my surroundings (family, friends, teammates, etc.) to give a testimony that had little or nothing to do with my feelings,” she added.

On a statement posted on the players union site FUTPRO and shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, the national team players said that those who had signed the statement would not “put themselves forward for National team selection as long as the actual leadership remains in place.”

“No woman should see herself needing to answer questions based on the blunt images that the entire world has seen and, of course, no one should be involved in attitudes without consent,” the statement read.

“It fills us with sadness that an act, so unacceptable as this, is managing to tarnish the biggest sporting achievement in Spanish women’s football history.”

Following Rubiales’ comments on Friday, the president of Spain’s High Council of Sport (CSD), Víctor Francos, said the council would look to suspend Rubiales as quickly as it could while following due process.

The CSD is an autonomous decision-making body of the Spanish government’s Ministry of Culture and Sport and has the potential power to demand the removal of Rubiales. However, to do so the body needs to follow a series of required steps, including having a complaint filed against him and the case having to be heard in front of a tribunal.

Some members of the Spanish soccer community have been especially critical of Rubiales’ speech, with Hermoso’s international teammate and two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas calling it “unacceptable.”

Spain men’s international striker Borja Iglesias said on social media he would not play for the national team “until things change,” while Spain’s acting second deputy prime minister, Yolanda Díaz, called for Rubiales to resign.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/26/spor...l-action-jennifer-hermoso-spt-intl/index.html

 

[Arkain2K]

Spain soccer head won’t resign for kissing player at World Cup. Team won’t play until he goes
BY JOSEPH WILSON | August 25, 2023

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Less than a week after winning the Women’s World Cup, Spain’s national team players announced Friday that they will not play any more games unless the president of the country’s soccer federation steps down for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after their victory.

Luis Rubiales, who was also chastised for grabbing his crotch after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England on Sunday, remained defiant despite immense pressure to resign. The kiss marred the title celebrations in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, and criticism has steadily mounted.

Rubiales said he would defend his honor in court against politicians, including two ministers, who called his kiss an act of sexual violence. One of them was acting Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, who urged the government to take “urgent measures.”

“Impunity for macho actions is over,” Díaz said. “Rubiales cannot continue in office.”

The president of Spain’s women’s league, Beatriz Álvarez, told Spanish state broadcaster RTVE that she was not surprised because Rubiales’ “ego is above his dignity.”

“What surprises and scandalizes me are his words,” Álvarez said. “Every time he speaks he shows what kind of person he really is.”

Spain’s government planned to file a lawsuit Friday alleging that Rubiales violated the country’s sports laws, according to Víctor Francos, secretary of state for sports and head of Spain’s Higher Council for Sports. If Spain’s Administrative Court for Sports agrees to hear the suit, the council will suspend Rubiales pending the court’s ruling, Francos said.

If found guilty by the court for committing sexist acts, Rubiales could be ruled unfit to hold office. Francos said he would ask the court to move its regular Thursday meeting up to Monday.

Iberia airlines, a major sponsor of the federation, said it supported the government’s initiative to “protect the rights and dignity of our athletes.”

About 100 people, mostly women, gathered Friday night in front of the Spanish soccer federation’s headquarters in Madrid to call for Rubiales’ resignation, many waving red cards used by soccer referees to expel players from games.

“What has to happen now is his resignation and the resignation of everyone who applauded him,” said 39-year-old protester Alma Doña. “The federation needs to be reformed and women’s soccer should have more support.”

Spanish soccer club Barcelona, which provided nine players for Spain’s team, said Rubiales’ behavior “was completely inappropriate.” Real Madrid said it supported the government’s decision to try to suspend Rubiales. Sevilla called for his resignation. Athletic Bilbao said it was renouncing its seat on the federation’s board and backed the government’s decisions. Osasuna slammed Rubiales, calling him “rude and sexist.” Espanyol, Valencia, and Celta Vigo also issued statements against Rubiales, as did Spanish league president Javier Tebas.

FIFA, the governing body of soccer, opened a disciplinary case against Rubiales on Thursday. Disciplinary judges can impose sanctions on individuals ranging from warnings and fines to suspensions from the sport.

The Netherlands-based FIFPRO player’s union, which had already demanded action against Rubiales, reiterated its position after his assembly speech.

The only relevant institution to remain silent has been European soccer body UEFA, for which Rubiales is a vice president. FIFPRO urged UEFA to open its own disciplinary case.

https://apnews.com/article/rubiales...ns-world-cup-3be367f0de6fbf1984e4885df0dcb00c

 

[panem-et-circenses]

Here is video of the kiss:

 

[nostradumbass]

He's never going to financially recover from this.

 

[Jballer]

I don’t see how anyone can think it was consensual. He literally grabbed her by the head and forced the kiss on her before she probably knew what happened.

 

[Arkain2K]

FIFA provisionally suspends Spanish soccer official Luis Rubiales

FIFA on Saturday provisionally suspended the president of Spain’s soccer federation after he kissed a player following Spain’s World Cup final win over England.

The sport’s governing body said in a statement that Luis Rubiales, who has refused to resign despite international outrage over the incident, would be barred from all football-related activities at a national and international level for an initial period of 90 days. The organization announced disciplinary action against Rubiales on Thursday.

Saturday’s decision also banned both Rubiales and the Spanish soccer federation, which has threatened legal action over the accusations, from contacting the player at the center of the allegations, Jenni Hermoso.

In statements released Friday, the midfielder said she “never consented to the kiss he gave me,” adding that she and her family had come under pressure to publicly support Rubiales.

Dozens of players on Spain’s women’s team have said they will refuse to play further matches until the Spanish federation, RFEF, removes the president from his post.

Rubiales also faced criticism for grabbing his crotch at the end of the World Cup final while Spain’s Queen Letizia and Princess Sofía, 16, stood nearby.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/08/26/fifa-suspends-luis-rubiales/

 

[ColemanwastheGOAT]

Happens all the time in men's soccer.

Non story.

 

[badascan]

She kisses her brother like that... *Actually seemingly much more intimately*. He probably should have controlled himself. Let's not act like he's a criminal...

Careful what you wish for ladies... more and more men are listening to the "modern" woman and it's not working out for anyone...

*Edit

 

[Poon Goon]

Let's not act like he's a criminal...

So if I walk up and do this to a sexy lady in the grocery store I won't be in trouble? That's pretty badass.

 

[wlu.29]

Different culture, hard to judge

 

[badascan]

So if I walk up and do this to a sexy lady in the grocery store I won't be in trouble? That's pretty badass.

You would be in trouble because she'd likely beat your ass... or are you Spanish?

 

[Osculater]

What's the problem he didn't use any tongue?

 

[Fox by the Sea]

shitty thing to do but it's not exactly a reason for global outrage, as i see it's all over the place.
must be a slow news day.

 

[BearGrounds]

What's the problem he didn't use any tongue?

She's lucky they aren't French.

 

[Osculater]

She's lucky they aren't French.

 

[Sinister]

Lol@all the "eh forced intimacy isnt a big deal" horsesh*t going on in here.

 

[chardog]

Here is video of the kiss:

nothing burger