FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales after player request

FIFA announced on Thursday (24) that it had opened disciplinary proceedings against Luis Rubiales, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), due to the kiss without consent given by him to the striker Jenni Hermosoduring the celebration of Spain’s title in the Women’s World Cup.

On Wednesday (23), the player broke her silence and spoke about the episode, through the FUTPRO union, and asked for “exemplary measures” against the manager.

According to FIFA, it is being investigated whether Rubiales’ kiss constitutes violations of article 13, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the entity’s Disciplinary Code. The items deal with offensive behavior and violation of fair play principles.

In paragraph 2, the behaviors that may result in punishment are listed: violating the basic rules of decent conduct; insult someone with gestures, signs or words; using sporting events to demonstrate an unsportsmanlike nature; act in a way that brings football or FIFA into disrepute; change the age of players. There is no specific description of harassment.

“FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee will only provide further information on these disciplinary proceedings after issuing a final decision on the matter. FIFA reiterates its unwavering commitment to respect the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any contrary behaviour,” the statement reads. of the entity.

Pronouncement

On vacation in Ibiza with teammates from the Spanish national team, Hermoso has avoided exposing himself. On his social networks, he publishes only publications referring to the trip, still celebrating the conquest of the World Cup. To preserve herself, she decided to be represented by Futpro. “My FUTPRO union, in coordination with my agency TMJ, are responsible for defending my interests and will be the interlocutors in this matter”, says the attacker’s statement in the note published by the union on Wednesday.

FUTPRO begins the statement by condemning “conduct that violates the dignity of women” and asking the RFEF to “implement the necessary protocols, guarantee the players’ rights and adopt exemplary measures”. It also appeals to the Superior Sports Council (CSD, in its Spanish acronym) for “prevention and intervention in the face of sexual harassment or abuse, machismo and sexism”. Rubiales’ name is never mentioned, but the final stretch makes reference to the kissing episode.

“FUTPRO rejects any attitude or conduct that violates the rights of football athletes and the union where we work so that acts like the one we saw never go unpunished, are sanctioned and the relevant measures are adopted to protect athletes from actions that we believe are unacceptable” , says the text.

The position endorsed by Hermoso reinforces the biggest contradiction of the case. After the negative repercussion of the kiss image, the RFEF released a text attributed to the player, in which she said that she understood the episode as “a mutual and totally spontaneous gesture” and claimed to have “a great relationship” with Rubiales.

On Tuesday, the website Relief published an article saying that the federation would have produced a false statement by the athlete on the subject, since she did not want to comment after the incident. Before that, Hermoso had made a brief comment, in a live broadcast on social networks shortly after the conquest. “I didn’t like it, what can I do?” he said.

Pressure

The case had great repercussions and even the Spanish government has taken a stand. Félix Bolaños, Minister of the Presidency of Spain, said during an official visit to Paris that there is the possibility of an intervention. “We are following very closely, because things cannot stay like this. We are waiting for measures, but, if nothing happens, the Government will act”, he said.

Amnesty International, in turn, published this Thursday a note of support for Hermoso, following the statement released by FUTPRO. “Luis Rubiales’ action is sexual violence in the workplace and part of a hierarchical superior. The RFEF must take urgent measures, properly investigating what happened, focusing on protecting the player and complying with its protocol against sexual violence,” he said. the organization.

Complaint

After the kiss without consent, Rubiales was reported to Spain’s Higher Sports Council. The complaint was filed by Miguel Galán, president of the National School of Football Coaches. Galán classified Rubiales’ attitude as an “intolerable sexist act in sport” and based it on Law 39/2022 on Sport, recent legislation which stipulates that “any action that could be considered discrimination, abuse or sexual harassment and/or harassment for reasons of sex or authority must be brought to the knowledge of the sanctioning body of the Superior Sports Council, to be sanctioned as a serious infraction”.

The complaint also cites the internal protocol of the Spanish Football Federation against sexual violence. In Article 14, there is a specific item that deals with “forcible kissing” and considers such behavior as “unacceptable conduct that will result in immediate consequences”. Galán asks that the complaint be transferred to the Administrative Court of Sport. Faced with the crisis caused by the image, the Federation called an Extraordinary General Assembly for Friday. During the meeting, the president, whose term ends at the end of 2024, will have to explain his behavior.