It was expected, it’s official. The president of the Spanish federation who forcibly kissed Jenni Hermoso, Spain player who became world champion, on the podium at the time of the trophy presentation has since been in turmoil, accused of sexual assault. While he had apologized, he had refused to resign after an extraordinary general meeting on Friday. As Spain’s politicians demanded his resignation, football’s supreme body reacted by suspending him.
This suspension initially applies for 90 days, pending the continuation of the disciplinary procedure initiated Thursday by FIFA. “The chairman of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio (Colombia), making use of the powers granted to him by article 51 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (CDF), decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from any football-related activity at national and international level. This suspension, which takes effect today, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings opened against Mr. Luis Rubiales on Thursday August 24.”
Fifa also prohibits Luis Rubiales and the Spanish federation from coming into contact with Jennifer Hermoso and his entourage, “in order to preserve, among other things, the fundamental rights of the player of the national football team Ms. Jennifer Hermoso and the proper conduct of the disciplinary procedure before this disciplinary body, has issued two additional directives (article 7 CDF) by which it orders Mr. Luis Rubiales to abstain, by himself or by third parties, from entering into contact or to try to get in touch with the professional player of the Spanish national football team Ms. Jennifer Hermoso or with her close entourage. The press release finally specifies that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee will not provide any further information on this disciplinary procedure until a final decision has been taken. “Fifa reiterates its absolute commitment to respecting the integrity of all people and therefore condemns in the strongest possible terms any behavior to the contrary.”