On Saturday, August 26th, FIFA announced the temporary suspension of Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, following accusations that he forcibly kissed player Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup final on Sunday.
“We have decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at the national and international level,” stated the global football governing body in a press release. The suspension will last at least 90 days, pending the progress of proceedings initiated against the Spanish official.
The International Federation informed the concerned party and UEFA, of which Luis Rubiales is a vice president. After issuing belated apologies, Rubiales vehemently refused to resign on Friday during a general assembly of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), further deepening the crisis shaking Spanish football.
Support from Teammates for Jenni Hermoso
While the 23 world champion players expressed their solidarity with their captain by announcing that they would not play for the national team under the current leadership, the RFEF counterattacked by accusing Jenni Hermoso of lying about Luis Rubiales kissing her without her consent. In a statement released on Friday night, the RFEF threatened the 33-year-old player, who described herself as a “victim of (sexual) assault,” with legal action to “defend the honor” of their president.
The incident, already dubbed the “#MeToo of Spanish football,” has triggered a significant scandal in Spain. The government, main sponsors of the national women’s team, and former internationals like goalkeeper Iker Casillas have expressed their indignation at Luis Rubiales’ refusal to step down and his discourse condemning those he calls “false feminists” who are attempting to “assassinate” him on a social level.
As Spain grapples with this controversy, the intersection of sports, gender dynamics, and leadership accountability is thrust into the limelight. The developments surrounding Luis Rubiales and Jenni Hermoso reverberate beyond the football field, sparking conversations about the role of responsibility, transparency, and respect in both sports and society at large.