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☆ Spain soccer outcast Rubiales facing trial for unwanted kiss at Women’s World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Investigative judge Francisco de Jorge ruled on Thursday that Rubiales' kiss was "unconsented and carried out unilaterally and in a surprising fashion," the court said. State prosecutors accused Rubiales of sexual assault and for allegedly trying to coerce Hermoso to publicly support him in the public backlash against him. The new law eliminated the difference between "sexual harassment" and "sexual assault," sanctioning any unconsented sexual act. The 46-year-old Rubiales, who also grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture near to Spain's Queen Letizia and Princess Sofia during the celebrations of Spain's victory, immediately became a national embarrassment. FIFA banned Rubiales for three years until after the men's 2026 World Cup.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Francisco de Jorge, Rubiales, Hermoso, Jorge Vilda, Spain's, Albert Luque, Rubén Rivera, Letizia, Princess Sofia, Vilda, Hermoso's, Luque, Rivera Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, Rubiales, FIFA Locations: Spanish, Sydney, Spain, Madrid

☆ Ex-Spanish FA chief Rubiales banned three years over kiss scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The suspension was imposed following the allegedly non-consensual kiss Rubiales gave to Spain player Jenni Hermoso after this year's Women's World Cup final in which Spain beat England. The "kiss-gate" scandal completely overshadowed what was a momentous moment for Spanish women's soccer and blew up into a sexism storm that attracted global headlines. Rubiales resigned in September from his position as RFEF president, saying his position had become untenable. "Mr Rubiales has been notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today," FIFA said. "Women's football stuck together on this and it's the right outcome."

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Susana Vera, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Mr Rubiales, Sue Smith, Trevor Stynes, Martyn Herman, Fernando Kallas, Ed Osmond Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish Football Association, Spain, England, FIFA, Reuters, FIFA Appeal, Sky Sports, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Spanish

☆ Spanish court throws out Rubiales' pre-kiss defamation lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales is pictured after leaving the high court in Madrid, Spain - September 15, 2023 REUTERS/Isabel Infantes/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Sept 18 (Reuters) - A Spanish court has dismissed a lawsuit by disgraced ex-soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales against coach Javier Clemente who had called Rubiales a "dangerous and ambitious guy" seeking "to get rich", qualifying his comments as free speech. Rubiales declined to comment, and Clemente, who was Spain national men's team coach during the 1990s, was not available for comment. Rubiales sued Clemente in 2022 after the outspoken coach said in an interview that Rubiales' "goal was to make a fortune" at the helm of the RFEF. At the Aug. 20 medal ceremony following Spain's World Cup victory in Sydney, Rubiales grabbed player Jenni Hermoso's head and kissed her on the lips, triggering a furore over sexism in Spanish sport and society. Reporting by Emma Pinedo; additional reporting by Fernando Kallas, editing by Andrei Khalip and Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Isabel Infantes, Luis Rubiales, Javier Clemente, Rubiales, Clemente, Jenni Hermoso's, Hermoso, Emma Pinedo, Fernando Kallas, Andrei Khalip, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Spain national men's, UEFA, Athletic Bilbao, La Liga, Libya national, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Sydney, Serbia, Cameroon

☆ Luis Rubiales: what to expect as court case begins over Jenni Hermoso kiss
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Emma Pinedo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Hermoso says that she did not want to be kissed and that she felt "vulnerable and victim of an aggression". After weeks of resisting calls to step down as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Rubiales finally quit on Sept. 10. He maintains the Hermoso kiss was "spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual". SPANISH CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGSRubiales appeared before a High Court judge on Friday over a complaint of sexual assault and coercion stemming from the allegedly unsolicited kiss. Rubiales had been provisionally suspended for three months from all football-related activities by world soccer governing body FIFA since Aug. 26.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Kim Hong, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso's, Hermoso, Rubiales, Marta Durantez Gil, Francisco de Jorge, TAD, Queen Letizia, Sofia, Emma Pinedo, Rohith Nair, Andrei Khalip, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA World, Qatar, Khalifa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, REUTERS, Rights, FIFA, Administrative, Sports Council, Spain's women's, Thomson Locations: Japan, Spain, Doha, Qatar, Rights MADRID, Spanish, Hermoso, Bangalore

☆ Restraining order imposed on ex-Spain soccer boss after testifying in assault probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales is pictured after leaving the high court in Madrid, Spain - September 15, 2023 REUTERS/Isabel Infantes Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Sept 15 (Reuters) - An investigating judge at Spain's High Court has imposed a restraining order to prevent former soccer chief Luis Rubiales approaching national team player Jenni Hermoso, after he appeared in court to be investigated for sexual assault for kissing her on the lips. The incident, which occurred at the medal ceremony after Spain's women's team won the World Cup in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 20, has triggered a furore over sexism in Spanish sport and society and prompted protests similar to the "Me Too" movement. Reporting by Emma Pinedo; Writing by David Latona; Editing by Charlie DevereuxOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Isabel Infantes, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Spain's women's, Emma Pinedo, David Latona, Charlie Devereux Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, REUTERS, Rights, Spain's, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Sydney, Australia

☆ Former Spanish soccer chief Rubiales to testify in court in Hermoso kiss case
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The incident, at the medal ceremony following the Spanish women's team's World Cup victory in Sydney, Australia, last month, unleashed a wave of indignation against sexism and macho behaviour in Spain. Rubiales had refused demands from many players, sports bodies and politicians to quit his position as president of the Royal Spanish Football, saying he had done nothing wrong and the kiss was mutual and consensual. However, the furore did not die down and on Sunday he resigned after Hermoso lodged a criminal complaint against him. The complaint by Hermoso describes how Rubiales kissed her on the mouth "without her consent" while holding her head with both hands after Spain defeated England in the women's World Cup final on Aug. 20. High Court judge Francisco de Jorge is in charge of the probe as the incident took place outside Spain.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Hermoso, Francisco de Jorge, Emma Pinedo, David Latona, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Rights, Royal Spanish Football, Sunday, Spain, England, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Spanish, Sydney, Australia

☆ Spain's soccer president resigns 3 weeks after kissing player at Women's World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Once the most powerful man in Spanish soccer, Rubiales insisted the kiss was consensual and done in a "moment of jubilation." "The former president of the Spanish soccer federation has done what he had to do," Spain's Secretary of State for Sport Víctor Francos told Spain's Cadena SER radio. Rubiales said that he had told interim Spanish federation president Pedro Rocha — who replaced him when Rubiales was suspended on Aug. 26 — of his resignation late Sunday night. The uproar against Rubiales coincides with a strike by Spain's women's league as its players call for higher wages. Those included the coaches of Spain's women's and men's teams.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Reuters Luis Rubiales, Spain's, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Sport Víctor Francos, Spain's Cadena, Pedro Rocha —, Piers Morgan, Britain's, Luis, Morgan, Letizia, Princess Sofía, Spain —, –, — Rubiales, Alexia Putellas Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, RFEF, Reuters, Spain, England, FIFA, Twitter, Rubiales, State, Sport Víctor, Spain's Cadena SER, UEFA, Women's Nations, Pachuca, Barcelona, League, Ballon, Saudi Locations: Spanish, Sydney, Australia, Portugal, Morocco, Ukraine, Spain, Sweden, Europe, Ballon d'Or, Africa, Madrid

☆ Spain's soccer chief Luis Rubiales quits in kiss scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Graham Keeley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Reuters reached out to Hermoso's representative for comment on Rubiales' resignation, and they did not return the telephone call. Hermoso, Spain's all-time top scorer with 51 goals, currently plays at Mexican top-tier side Pachuca, where she moved in June 2022 following her second spell at Barcelona. "The feminist country is advancing faster and faster," Spain's acting Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz posted on X after news of Rubiales' resignation. The Spanish Football Federation said in a statement that Rubiales had resigned as its president and also as a vice-president of UEFA. Although he stepped down as boss of the federation, Rubiales continued to defend his version of events.

Persons: Jennifer Hermoso, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Hannah, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Pedro Rocha, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Yolanda Diaz, Jenni, Irene Montero, Pedro Rocha Junco, FUTPRO, Piers Morgan, Luis, Anita Kobylinska, Tommy Lund, Toby Davis, Frances Kerry, Aislinn Laing Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, England, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish Football Federation, Sydney, High, Rubiales, Spain, UEFA, Twitter, Reuters, Pachuca, Barcelona, Labour, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Sydney, BARCELONA, Spanish, Gdansk

Hermoso gave her testimony on Tuesday and the complaint will be processed "as soon as possible", the prosecutor added. With the complaint, Rubiales could face criminal charges in addition to the ongoing inquiry by Spain's top sport court for "serious misconduct" and an investigation by world soccer governing body FIFA, which has provisionally suspended Rubiales from office for 90 days. Hermoso said she did not want to be kissed, and that she felt "vulnerable and a victim of an aggression". Rubiales, who has so far refused to resign despite heavy pressure, said the kiss was "spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual". There are people who have to decide whether there is an offender and a victim," Carvajal said on Tuesday.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Hermoso, Rubiales, Hermoso's, Letizia, Dani Carvajal, Jennifer, Carvajal, Jenni, Jorge Vilda, RFEF, Montse Tome, Vilda, Emma Pinedo, Fernando Kallas, David Latona, Inti Landauro, Mark Heinrich, Christian Organizations: Soccer Football, Spanish Soccer Federation, Del Futbol, Royal Spanish Football Federation, REUTERS, Rights, FIFA, England, Spain's, Real, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: Del Futbol Las, Rozas, Spain, Handout, Rights MADRID, Spanish, Mexico, Sydney, Australia, Real Madrid

☆ Spain men's team condemn Rubiales two weeks after Hermoso kiss
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

"We want to reject what we consider to be unacceptable behaviour from Mr Rubiales, who has not lived up to the institution he represents," captain Alvaro Morata said as he read out a statement on behalf of the team. "Spanish football should be a motor of respect, inspiration, inclusion and diversity and should set an example with its conduct both on and off the pitch." Spain's Sport Administrative Tribunal (TAD) on Friday opened a case against Rubiales for "serious misconduct." Rubiales' behaviour has sparked outrage in Spain and abroad. World soccer governing body FIFA has already suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities for three months while it conducts an investigation.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Mr Rubiales, Alvaro Morata, Morata, TAD, Rubiales, Letizia, Pietro Lombardi Organizations: Soccer Football, Spanish Soccer Federation, Del Futbol, Royal Spanish Football Federation, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, FIFA, Thomson Locations: Del Futbol Las, Rozas, Spain, Handout, Rights MADRID, Spanish

☆ Spanish government urges soccer boss suspension after mild court ruling
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rubiales caused a storm when he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's victory in the women's World Cup in Sydney. He also grabbed his crotch while standing feet away from Spain's Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter. World soccer governing body FIFA has already suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities for three months while it investigates, but the CSD said it would move ahead with its own case regardless. Hermoso has said she did not consent to the kiss and felt "vulnerable and the victim of an aggression". Spain's Olympic chief said on Friday Rubiales' actions were "inappropriate, unacceptable" and did not represent Spanish sport as a whole.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan, TAD, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Letizia, Miquel Iceta, Hermoso, Luis de la Fuente, Jessica Jones, Fernado Kallas, Emma Pinedo, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Frances Kerry, Peter Graff Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Sports Council, Administrative, El Mundo, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, MADRID, Sydney

☆ Spain's sport court opens case against soccer boss in World Cup scandal - El Pais
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Rubiales sparked a storm when he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's win in Sydney. He also grabbed his crotch while standing feet away from Spain's Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter. World soccer governing body FIFA has already suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities for three months while it investigates, but the CSD said it would move ahead with its own case regardless. Hermoso has said she did not consent to the kiss and felt "vulnerable and the victim of an aggression". Reporting by Jessica Jones, Jesús Aguado and David Latona, Editing by Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, TAD, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Letizia, Hermoso, Jessica Jones, Jesús Aguado, David Latona, Frances Kerry Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Rights, National Sports Council, Sydney, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, El Pais

☆ Luis Rubiales: what to know about the World Cup kiss scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] FILE PHOTO-Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez receive the World Cup champions - Moncloa Palace, Madrid, Spain - August 22, 2023 President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 30 (Reuters) - Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF), has stirred a furore by kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the Women's World Cup trophy presentation. Rubiales sacked Spain manager Julen Lopetegui two days before their 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia because the coach had a pre-agreement to join Real Madrid after the tournament. There was further controversy last year when members of the Spanish women's team mutinied against their coach Jorge Vilda. The RFEF backed Vilda who then cut 12 of the 15 players involved from the squad that went on to win the World Cup. Rubiales' actions on World Cup final day, and later defiance, have brought a torrent of public criticism in Spain and elsewhere, but also a backlash in some circles against feminism.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Julen Lopetegui, Jorge Vilda, Vilda, Letizia, Sofia, peck, Yolanda Diaz, Irene Montero, Xavi Hernandez, Angeles Bejar, TAD, Trevor Stynes, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, WHO, Hamilton Academical, Association of Spanish, Real Madrid, Spanish, England, Reuters, Sports Council, Administrative, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Scotland, Russia, Australia, Barcelona, Motril

☆ Rubiales' behaviour 'inappropriate', says UEFA's Ceferin
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales over the incident with player Jenni Hermoso last Sunday in Sydney that has caused an uproar among players and fans. Rubiales said he would use the FIFA probe to show his innocence. This is enough for the moment because the independent disciplinary bodies will decide," UEFA President Ceferin told French newspaper L'Equipe on Wednesday. Ceferin said there was no need for UEFA to take separate measures against Rubiales. The UEFA chief added that he was saddened that the incident had overshadowed Spain's World Cup victory.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan, Aleksander Ceferin, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Ceferin, Hermoso, Tommy Lund, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, European, Spanish Football Federation, UEFA, French, L'Equipe, International Federation, Rubiales, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Sydney, Rubiales, Spanish, Gdansk

☆ Spain promises bigger role for women in sport as Rubiales asked to resign
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MADRID, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Spanish regional soccer chiefs demanded federation boss Luis Rubiales resign for grabbing and kissing World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso, as the country's caretaker government promised on Tuesday to ensure women play a bigger role in running sports. Prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into whether Rubiales might have committed an act of sexual aggression when he grabbed Hermoso and kissed her on the lips after Spain's victory in the women's World Cup in Sydney on Aug. 20. Many of the federation representatives had initially applauded Rubiales when he announced on Friday he would not quit. "Following recent events and the unacceptable behaviour that has seriously damaged Spanish football's image, the (regional) presidents demand that Luis Rubiales immediately resign," they said in a statement. Acting Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz demanded the dismissal of the head coaches of both the men's and women's national teams.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Guadalupe Martin, Rubiales, Martin, Miquel Iceta, Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Iceta, Amparo Macias, Yolanda Diaz, Inti Landauro, Mariano Valladolid, Belén Carreño, David Latona, Emma Pinedo, Charlie Devereux, Andrei Khalip, Ed Osmond, Conor Humphries Organizations: Prosecutors, federation's, Sports, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Socialist, Labour, women's, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Spanish, Sydney, Madrid, New Zealand, Spain, Motril

☆ Rubiales' mother goes on hunger strike in Spain over 'hunt' on son - report
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Angeles Bejar said her strike would last "until a solution is found to the inhumane and bloody hunt they are carrying out against my son with something he does not deserve", according to EFE. According to EFE, Bejar stayed inside the parish church of Divina Pastora in Rubiales' hometown in southern Spain, Motril, with her sister after the parish priest left. She asked Hermoso to tell the truth and "stick to the version she gave at the beginning", EFE added. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has issued a statement for him, saying Rubiales "will defend himself legally in the competent bodies" to prove "his complete innocence". Hermoso said she did not consent to the kiss and felt "vulnerable and the victim of an aggression".

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, EFE, Angeles Bejar, Rubiales, Bejar, Divina, Hermoso, David Latona, Andrei Khalip Organizations: Soccer Football, Spanish Soccer Federation, Del Futbol, Royal Spanish Football Federation, REUTERS, Rights, FIFA, Socialist, Thomson Locations: Del Futbol Las, Rozas, Spain, Handout, Spanish, Sydney, Rubiales

☆ Luis Rubiales: What investigations could the Spanish soccer chief face?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Emma Pinedo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The prosecutor at the Spanish High Court, which has jurisdiction as the soccer final was abroad, has received several complaints alleging possible sexual aggression. The High Court prosecutor said on Monday the office would contact Hermoso to ask her if she wants to formalise a criminal complaint. World soccer governing body FIFA suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities for three months with immediate effect on Saturday. The Spanish government has strongly condemned Rubiales' actions but can not directly suspend or remove Rubiales from his post as president of the Spanish Royal Football Federation (RFEF), which is a private institution. Although Rubiales is already suspended, Spain's CSD said it would move ahead with its own case regardless.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Kim Hong, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso's, Hermoso, Rubiales, Queen Letizia, Sofia, TAD, Emma Pinedo, Andrei Khalip, Alison Williams Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA World, Qatar, Khalifa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, REUTERS, Rights, Spanish, Court, High, FIFA, Spanish Royal Football Federation, Sports Council, Friday, Spain's women's, Administrative, Rubiales, Thomson Locations: Japan, Spain, Doha, Qatar, Spanish

☆ Spanish prosecutors investigating soccer president who kissed World Cup player
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( David K. Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales announces he will be staying as president during the meeting, August 25, 2023..Spanish prosecutors opened an investigation of the nation's soccer federation chief, officials said Monday, in connection to his kiss on the lips of a player shortly after winning the World Cup. The national prosecutors also invited the player, Spain's team captain Jennifer Hermoso, to reach out to them in the next 15 days to report herself as a possible victim of sexual aggression by federation president Luis Rubiales, officials said. Béjar took refuge in the church of the Divina Pastora de Motril on the southern Spanish coast and defended her son. The sport's international governing body, FIFA, on Saturday suspended Rubiales from all soccer activities for 90 days. The kiss has marred what had been joyous national celebration of La Roja's first time lifting the Women's World Cup trophy.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Hermoso, Ángeles, Béjar, Motril, EFE, He's, Vanessa Ruiz Béjar, soccer's, — Rima Abdelkader, Max Burman Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, England, FIFA, AFP, Associated Press Locations: Sydney, Spanish, Spain, United States, Germany, Japan, Norway

☆ Spain's soccer federation to hold urgent meeting over Rubiales kiss scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rubiales has steadfastly refused to resign over the incident with player Jenni Hermoso last Sunday in Sydney, saying the kiss was consensual. Players and a string of coaches on the women's squad are demanding he go, and the government also wants him out. The Royal Football Federation (RFEF) has called regional federations to an "extraordinary and urgent" meeting on Monday "to evaluate the situation in which the federation finds itself" following Rubiales' suspension, an RFEF spokesperson said on Sunday. All 23 of Spain's cup-winning squad including Hermoso, as well as dozens of other squad members, said on Friday they would not play internationals while Rubiales remained head of the federation. However, he said on Saturday that the scandal would not damage Spain's bid to stage the 2030 World Cup along with Portugal and Morocco.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Jennifer Hermoso, Jenni, Victor Francos, Graham Keeley, Frances Kerry Organizations: Soccer Football, Spanish Soccer Federation, Del Futbol, Royal Spanish Football Federation, REUTERS, Rights, FIFA, Royal Football Federation, Sunday, Atletico Madrid, Milan, Logrono, Sports Council, Thomson Locations: Del Futbol Las, Rozas, Spain, Handout, Sydney, Madrid, Santander, Spanish, Portugal, Morocco

☆ Spain's soccer federation stands by its chief amid uproar over kiss
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The statement on the Royal Spanish Football Federation website said it would take legal action to defend Rubiales' honour, but did not say what the action would consist of. Rubiales refused on Friday to resign as RFEF chief over his actions last Sunday in Sydney, seeking to defend his behaviour and calling the kiss "spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual". Hermoso said she did not consent to the kiss and felt "vulnerable and the victim of an aggression". Rubiales had been widely expected to resign at an emergency meeting of the federation on Friday. Rubiales' comments and the supportive reaction he got from many in the audience at the federation meeting on Friday were widely scorned on social media.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso's, Hermoso, Rubiales, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Yolanda Diaz, Graham Keeley, Frances Kerry Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spain, FUTPRO, Soccer Football, Spanish Soccer Federation, Del Futbol, REUTERS Acquire, Labour, England, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Sydney, Spanish, FUTPRO Union, Del Futbol Las, Rozas, Spain, Handout

☆ FIFA provisionally suspends Spanish football president Rubiales
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee... has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level," FIFA said in a statement. Its disciplinary committee also ordered Rubiales and RFEF officials and employees alike to refrain from contacting or attempting to contact Hermoso or those around her. The Spanish national team that won the World Cup as well as several other players have said they would not play international matches while Rubiales remains head of the federation. "The decision adopted by the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has been communicated today to Mr Luis Rubiales, the RFEF and (European soccer body) UEFA for due compliance." The committee said it would not provide any further information on the disciplinary proceedings until a final decision was taken.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso's, Rubiales, Hermoso, Rohith Nair, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Spanish, UEFA, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Bengaluru

☆ Spanish federation chief refuses to resign over kiss scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Speaking at an RFEF emergency assembly on Friday, Rubiales complained that "false feminists" were "trying to kill me". He described the kiss as a "little peck" that was "spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual". Rubiales, 46, said in his speech that Hermoso was the one who initiated physical contact by lifting him off the ground by his hips. Criticism of Rubiales's behaviour has built throughout the week of the incident which occurred while the players were being handed their medals after they beat England 1-0 in the World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday. As players filed past, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and planted a kiss on her mouth.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, peck, Yolanda Diaz, Diaz, Hermoso, Queen Letizia, Fernando Kallas, Inti Landauro, Charlie Devereux, Andrei Khalip, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Rights, Socialists, Labour, England, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Sydney, Australia

☆ Spain Women's player kissed by soccer boss says she was 'vulnerable'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jenni Hermoso was kissed by Spanish soccer federation boss Luis Rubiales after Spain won the World Cup last Sunday, sparking calls for his resignation. "I felt vulnerable and a victim of aggression. Hermoso added that she was put under pressure by the soccer federation. Dozens of members of the Spanish Women's national team said earlier on Friday that they would not play any matches for the country until Rubiales has been removed from his job. Reporting by Fernando Kallas, editing by Andrei Khalip and Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Hermoso, Rubiales, Fernando Kallas, Andrei Khalip, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Spanish Soccer Federation, Del Futbol, Royal Spanish Football Federation, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Spanish Women's, Spain, Thomson Locations: Del Futbol Las, Rozas, Spain, Handout, Spanish

☆ FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Spanish FA chief Rubiales
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"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 Women's World Cup," it said in a statement. "The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code." Rubiales, who initially called his critics "idiots", issued a video apology late on Monday, but it failed to quell the uproar . Acting Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz called for Rubiales' resignation because "without any doubt (he) attacked a woman". Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Christina Fincher and Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Yolanda Diaz, Hermoso, FUTPRO, TMJ, Rohith Nair, Christina Fincher, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish, England, Spanish Football Association, Liga, National Sports Council, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Bengaluru

☆ Spanish federation chief to quit over kiss scandal - report
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The incident sparked outrage within and outside Spain, with many, including government ministers, demanding his resignation. The favourites to succeed Rubiales are Pedro Rocha, head of the Extremadura football federation, and Pablo Lozano, head of the Andalusia federation, the source said. Rubiales, who played for several lower league clubs in Spain, finished his playing career in 2009 with Hamilton Academical in Scotland. There was also a mutiny within the Spain women's squad last September, when a large group of players demanded that long-standing coach Jorge Vilda be sacked. The RFEF backed Vilda and he cut 12 of the 15 players involved in the dispute from his World Cup squad.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Spain's, Cadena, Rubiales, Hermoso, Pedro Rocha, Pablo Lozano, Angel Maria Villar, Julen Lopetegui, Jorge Vilda, Fernando Kallas, Charlie Devereux, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Rights, Cadena Ser, England, Sunday, Reuters, Extremadura, Hamilton Academical, Association of Spanish, Spanish, Spain, World, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Sydney, Andalusia, Scotland, Saudi Arabia

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