24 August 2023 , 12:01
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FIFA have confirmed they have opened disciplinary proceedings against Luis Rubiales over his conduct at the Women's World Cup Final.
Rubiales, president of the the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation ceremony at Stadium Australia after Spain's 1-0 victory over England on Sunday, with the CF Pachuca striker later admitting she "did not enjoy it".
A further video was then circulated on social media of the president telling the Spanish dressing room that he would "marry" Hermoso in Ibiza, while he was also caught on camera grabbing his crotch while celebrating next to Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, Princess Infanta Sofía. The incidents sparked widespread outrage, with a host of notable sporting and cultural figures - including Spain's acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez and sports minister Miquel Iceta - condemning Rubiales' actions
In a statement on Thursday, FIFA said: "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee informed Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Association, today that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on 20 August 2023.
"The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will only provide further information on these disciplinary proceedings once it has issued a final decision on the matter. FIFA reiterates its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behaviour to the contrary."
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The news comes after Hermoso herself spoke out on the incident. In a statement on Wednesday, Hermoso said: "My FUTPRO union, in coordination with my TMJ agency, are taking charge of defending my interests and being the communication channel on this matter."
FUTPRO have subsequently expressed, as reported by Relevo, that they are demanding that the kiss from Rubiales "does not go unpunished." They are calling on the Spanish FA to implement "the necessary protocols" and adopt "exemplary measures." The FA’s official protocol classifies 'forced kisses' as "unacceptable conduct with immediate consequences."
Rubiales' actions have sparked widespread backlash (Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)Rubiales had initially dismissed the backlash to his behaviour as "idiocy", however he later reneged on his bullish stance and apologised for his actions.
“Here (in the stadium) it was something natural, normal – so we did not understand the commotion,” Rubiales said in a statement on Monday. “There was no bad faith. Elsewhere, it seems that an uproar has occurred, of course, if there are people who have felt damaged by this I have to apologise.
"There is no other choice other than learning from this and understanding that when you are president of an institution as important as the Spanish Federation you have to be more careful in procedure and these type of issues."
The RFEF has called an Extraordinary General Assembly for September 1 to discuss “the latest events that occurred during the award ceremony of the Women's World Cup."