FIFA 'want shamed Spanish FA chief Rubiales banned for 15 years' amid kiss storm

29 August 2023 , 10:45

834 0

FIFA will push for disgraced Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales to be banned from football for 15 years in the aftermath of his kiss on Jenni Hermoso, which the player did not consent to.

Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips during the celebrations of Spain's Women's World Cup win just over a week ago. It soon emerged that Hermoso was caught off guard by Rubiales and had not consented to being kissed by the Spanish FA president.

Since then, more than 80 female players have stated they will not play for the national team again while Rubiales remains in his post. And the Spanish FA have also now called for him to step down from his position after their sexual violence protocol was activated.

Rubiales has so far refused to step down from his post despite that pressure, with FIFA now looking to bring their weight to bear in the row. According to the Daily Mail, the world governing body will push for a ban of up to 15 years for Rubiales.

That is the maximum penalty permitted by their statues, with the disgraced president having been handed a 90-day interim suspension by FIFA last week. FIFA's disciplinary committee have gathered statements from eyewitnesses.

Chelsea winners and losers from record transfer window as more changes to come

They banned him from all football-related activity at national and international level last week and can increase that ban. Under FIFA statutes, any ban would have been extended to all Spanish national teams and clubs in FIFA-affiliated competitions if it was not accepted by the Spanish FA.

FIFA 'want shamed Spanish FA chief Rubiales banned for 15 years' amid kiss storm

Luis Rubiales is facing a 15-year ban from football (Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The federation had backed him last week, even writing to UEFA to complain of government interference. But they U-turned on that support following a five-hour meeting on Monday, with Pedro Rocha installed as interim president.

"After the latest events and the unacceptable behaviours that have seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the presidents request Mr Luis Rubiales immediately present his resignation as president of the RFEF," a statement read.

"We warmly congratulate the women's soccer team for their victory in the World Cup. We value the meaning and legacy of success for Spanish sport. We express our admiration and gratitude to an unrepeatable group of players and we extend our congratulations to all those who have built, over the years with determination, the growth of women's football.

"We will urge the corresponding bodies to carry out a deep and imminent organic restructuring in strategic positions of the Federation to give way to a new stage of management in Spanish football.

"Once FIFA has suspended Mr Luis Rubiales, the Federation's internal protocols have been activated as a result of the suspension. The RFEF maintains its commitment to continue implementing its investment, as well as equality policies for the development of women's football."

Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup final last week (Noe Llamas/SPP/REX/Shutterstock)

Last week, Hermoso made it clear that she had not consented to Rubiales' actions, despite the now-disgraced president insisting that she had. The CF Pachuca star issued a firm statement contrasting Rubiales' comments on the incident.

"The situation caused me a shock due to the context of the celebration and, with the passage of time, I feel the need to report this fact since I consider that no person, in any field of work, should be a victim of this type of behavior not consented," she said.

"I felt vulnerable and the victim of an aggression, an impulsive, sexist act, out of place and without any kind of consent on my part. I want to make it clear that, as seen in the footage, I at no time consented to the kiss he planted on me."

In another extraordinary twist, Rubiales' mother Angeles Bejar launched a hunger strike on Sunday, locking herself in a church in support of her son, who's position is now untenable.