The president of the Spanish Football Association is facing disciplinary proceedings following his country’s Women’s World Cup win last Sunday.
Key points:
- Luis Rubiales created controversy following Spain’s 1-0 win over England in the final
- He kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips as she received her winner’s medal on the podium
- Mr Rubiales apologised for the incident after receiving backlash for the kiss
Luis Rubiales created controversy following Spain’s 1-0 win over England in the final at Stadium Australia when he kissed Jenni Hermoso as she received her winner’s medal.
The image of the kiss, which showed Mr Rubiales holding Hermoso’s head and kissing her on the lips, sparked backlash against the Spanish FA president.
He was also seen kissing other players during post-match celebrations on the pitch. He appeared to grab his genitals in another video while standing next to Spain’s Queen Letizia and her daughter Sofia.
On Thursday, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee announced they had opened proceedings against Mr Rubiales, “based on the events that occurred during the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup”.
Mr Rubiales apologised for the kiss on Hermoso in a video posted by the Spanish FA.
“Surely I was wrong, I have to admit,” Mr Rubiales said in a video statement sent by the federation.
“It was without bad faith at a time of maximum effusiveness.”
Hermoso reportedly told teammates she “didn’t like it”, according to video footage posted on Instagram and YouTube by El Mundo newspaper and other media outlets.
She downplayed the incident in a statement sent by the federation to Spanish news agency EFE, later in the week.
“It was a mutual gesture that was totally spontaneous prompted by the huge joy of winning a World Cup,” the statement said.
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