Current:Home > ContactFIFA opens case against Spanish soccer official who kissed a player on the lips at Women’s World Cup -TradeWisdom
FIFA opens case against Spanish soccer official who kissed a player on the lips at Women’s World Cup
View
Date:2025-04-16 15:27:26
GENEVA (AP) — FIFA opened a disciplinary case Thursday against the Spanish soccer official who kissed a player on the lips while celebrating the team’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final.
The governing body’s disciplinary committee will weigh if Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales violated its code relating to “the basic rules of decent conduct” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute.”
Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy and medal ceremony on Sunday after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in Sydney, Australia.
Minutes earlier, Rubiales grabbed his crotch as a victory gesture in the exclusive section of seats with Queen Letizia of Spain and 16-year-old Princess Sofía standing nearby.
Hermoso has said she did not like the kiss and the national players’ union representing her — which the 46-year-old Rubiales once led — called Wednesday for his conduct to not go unpunished.
FIFA responded Thursday.
“FIFA reiterates its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behavior to the contrary,” the soccer body said without specifying which acts by Rubiales are under investigation.
Víctor Francos, Spain’s secretary of state for sports, said Wednesday that “the gesture of grabbing his testicles in the tribune is a gesture that no one can defend.”
FIFA gave no timetable for a ruling. The body’s disciplinary judges can impose sanctions on individuals ranging from warnings and fines to suspensions from the sport.
The FIFA disciplinary panel is chaired by Colombian lawyer Jorge Palacio, a former labor court judge and member of the state constitutional court.
The case likely will be judged by three of the 16 panel members. Three of the 16 are women, from England, Mexico and Thailand.
Rubiales is a vice president of UEFA, a role which pays 250,000 euros ($270,000) each year plus expenses, and was the European soccer body’s most senior representative at the biggest game in women’s soccer.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has yet to comment on the conduct of Rubiales, who is due to host the European soccer body’s next annual congress in Madrid in February.
The Spanish soccer federation, which Rubiales has led for five years, has an emergency meeting Friday in Madrid where the agenda allows questions on the controversy.
It is unclear if the meeting will shore up support for Rubiales or respond to widespread pressure from Spanish government and soccer officials to remove him.
Rubiales, who led the Spanish players’ union for eight years before taking over as federation president in 2018, is currently heading the UEFA-backed bid to host the men’s World Cup in 2030. Spain is bidding with neighboring Portugal and Morocco, and also possibly Ukraine.
Francos said Rubiales has damaged the country’s image as it tries to win support for hosting the World Cup.
FIFA delayed launching the 2030 bid contest in June but has targeted late next year for a decision.
The Spain-led bid is currently favored over a four-nation South American plan teaming Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and inaugural 1930 World Cup host Uruguay. Despite speculation about a possible bid from Saudi Arabia, the 2034 edition is seen as a more likely goal for the oil-rich kingdom.
___
AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup
veryGood! (37167)
Related
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Mike Epps, wife Kyra say HGTV's 'Buying Back the Block' rehab project hits close to home
- Minnesota town is believed to be the first to elect a Somali American as mayor
- Former top prosecutor for Baltimore declines to testify at her perjury trial
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Supreme Court gun case could reverse protections for domestic violence survivors. One woman has a message for the justices.
- Israel-Hamas war said to have left 10,300 dead in Gaza and displaced 70% of its population in a month
- Minnesota agency had data on iron foundry’s pollution violations but failed to act, report says
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Baltimore Ravens' Roquan Smith says his 'career is not going down the drain' after trade
Ranking
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- National Zoo’s giant pandas fly home amid uncertainty about future panda exchanges
- Actors and studios make a deal to end Hollywood strikes
- North Carolina governor declares state of emergency as wildfires burn in mountains
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- 198-pound Burmese python fought 5 men before capture in Florida: It was more than a snake, it was a monster
- North Greenland ice shelves have lost 35% of their volume, with dramatic consequences for sea level rise, study says
- Supreme Court gun case could reverse protections for domestic violence survivors. One woman has a message for the justices.
Recommendation
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
North Greenland ice shelves have lost 35% of their volume, with dramatic consequences for sea level rise, study says
A bear stole a Taco Bell delivery order from a Florida family's porch — and then he came again for the soda
Bridging an ocean, Angolan king visits Brazilian community descended from slaves
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
Tennessee’s long rape kit processing times cut in half after jogger’s 2022 killing exposed delays
198-pound Burmese python fought 5 men before capture in Florida: It was more than a snake, it was a monster
Krispy Kreme wants to gift you a dozen donuts on World Kindness Day. No strings attached.