Spanish Govt Takes FA Chief to Tribunal after World Cup Final Kiss
The Spanish secretary of sport says he “wants this to be Spanish football’s MeToo moment” after the government started legal proceedings seeking to suspend football federation president Luis Rubiales for kissing World Cup star Jenni Hermoso on the lips.
Rubiales has refused to resign despite overwhelming pressure after the incident following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win over England.
Fifa opened disciplinary proceedings against the 46-year-old former player on Thursday.
The Me Too movement seeks to end violence against women and shot into mainstream consciousness in 2017 after film producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of numerous sexual offences – he was subsequently found guilty and jailed.
“The government starts today the procedure so that Mr Rubiales has to give explanations before the Sport Court and if the Sport Court agrees, I can announce that we will suspend Mr Rubiales from his functions,” Victor Francos, secretary of sport and head of the state-run National Sports Council said.
“There has to be a change. The government wants to warn, to be very clear and say that there are things that can’t happen again.”
The sports council cannot suspend Rubiales unless the court rules that the kiss is in violation of the professional sports code.
Rubiales kissed the Spain forward during the presentation ceremony after the final in Sydney. She later said on social media “I didn’t like it”.
He apologised earlier in the week and had been expected to announce his resignation at an extraordinary general assembly called by the federation, but instead vowed to “fight until the end”.
Yesterday, he said sorry for grabbing his crotch while celebrating in the VIP area in Stadium Australia, with Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter standing nearby.
Spain’s acting labour minister Yolanda Diaz said: “What we have seen today in the Federation Assembly is unacceptable. The Government must act and take urgent measures. Impunity for macho actions is over. Rubiales cannot continue in office.”
Acting social rights minister Ione Belarra added:
