SPAIN’S Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales has been suspended by FIFA over his conduct during the Women’s World Cup medal presentation ceremony in Sydney, Australia on Sunday.
Rubiales has been under fire from several quarters since his country won their first-ever Women’s World Cup title, after he kissed one of the players, Jennifer Hermoso, on the lips as she received her gold medal.
The 46-year-old has refused to resign despite the calls for him to step down, with the Spain players even threatening to quit the national team unless he is removed.
FIFA announced two days ago that they were looking into the matter and they have now decided to sanction Rubiales with a provisional suspension of 90 days.
“The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio (Colombia), in use of the powers granted by article 51 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level,” FIFA announced today through a press release.
“This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings opened against Mr. Luis Rubiales on Thursday, August 24.”
In addition, FIFA has ordered Rubiales and his associates from further harassing Hermoso, after RFEF stood by their president and threatened to take legal action against the Barcelona forward.
The world football governing body added: “Likewise, the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and in order to preserve, among other factors, the fundamental rights of the national soccer team player Ms. Jennifer Hermoso and the good order of the disciplinary proceedings before this disciplinary body, has issued two additional directives (article 7 FDC) by which he orders Mr. Luis Rubiales to refrain, through himself or third parties, from contacting or attempting to contact the professional player of the Spanish national football team Ms. Jennifer Hermoso or her close environment. Likewise, the RFEF and its officials or employees, directly or through third parties, are ordered to refrain from contacting the professional player of the Spanish national team Ms. Jennifer Hermoso and her close environment.
“The decision adopted by the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has been communicated today to Mr. Luis Rubiales, the RFEF and UEFA for due compliance.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will not provide any further information on these disciplinary proceedings until a final decision has been taken.
“FIFA reiterates its absolute commitment to respect the integrity of all persons and therefore condemns with the utmost vigour any behaviour to the contrary.”
Comments are closed.