2023-09-01 08:29:16
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Luis Rubiales’ kiss on the lips of star Jenny Hermoso without her consent “was never supposed to happen.”
In his first reaction to the kiss that took place during the ceremony honoring the Spanish national team following its 1-0 victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final, Infantino said that “the behavior of the president of the Spanish Federation, Rubiales, spoiled the occasion.”
“The celebrations due to these wonderful heroines were spoiled by what happened following the final whistle,” Infantino wrote on Instagram.
He continued, “And what happened in the following days… should never have happened.”
The President of the Spanish Federation sends FIFA a video of Hermoso to defend himself
The President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, sent a clip to the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) showing the national team player, Jenny Hermoso, joking regarding the kiss that was the cause of a wide uproar during the last period.
FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings once morest Rubiales on August 24, four days following the final in Sydney, and then suspended him from all football activities at national and international level for 90 days while the investigation was ongoing.
“FIFA’s disciplinary bodies immediately assumed their responsibility and took the necessary measures. The disciplinary proceedings will continue their legitimate course,” added Infantino, who attended the trophy handover ceremony following the final match.
And he added, “For our part, we must continue to focus on how we can provide more support for women and women’s football in the future, both on and off the field. Upholding true values, respecting players as people and also for great performance.”
The case has cast a shadow over Spain’s World Cup-winning coach, Jorge Vilda, who is likely to be forced out.
And more than 80 players went on strike until the leadership of the local federation changed the game, in the wake of the forced kiss of Rubiales on the lips of Hermoso.
Because of the kiss.. a preliminary investigation was opened with Rubiales on charges of “sexual assault”
Spain’s public prosecutor announced, on Monday, that he will open a preliminary investigation into allegations of “sexual assault” in the case of the forced kiss of the head of the Spanish Football Federation.
Last week, Vilda praised the speech in which Rubiales refused to resign from his position, slamming “false feminism,” before taking a step back and later criticizing Rubiales’ “inappropriate and unacceptable” behavior.
And while the majority of Spain’s coaching staff offered to step down in the wake of the Rubiales incident, Filda did not, following Rubiales publicly announced that the coach was on his way to a new contract with a significant salary increase.
Reports in Spain said on Thursday that the regional heads of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) had agreed on the need for Filda’s departure at a meeting they held on Monday, although he was said to want another role in the federation if he leaves his current position.
“We cannot say that he (was sacked), and we did not meet Filda until next week,” said the interim president of the Spanish Federation, Pedro Rocha.
He continued, “Once we do that, we will explain the issue… We have to start listening and talking, that’s the important thing.”
Rocha confirmed that Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who led “La Roja” to win the European Nations League title in June, will remain despite criticism in some quarters, following praising his role in Rubiales’ speech.
He concluded, “For sure (he will stay), he is supported by all members of the federation. He is a hardworking person and does a great job.”
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