The Spanish government will ask the Administrative Court for Sport (TAD) directly to suspend Luis Rubiales, after the opening of disciplinary proceedings against him for having surprised world champion Jenni Hermoso on the mouth. “THE Superior Sports Council (CSD) will ask the court to temporarily suspend Luis Rubiales from his duties until the case against him is finally resolved“, declared the Minister of Culture and Sports, Miquel Iceta during a press conference.
A few minutes later, Luis Rubiales broke the silence, saying he would continue to defend himself “to prove the truth”. “I continue to trust the independence of the bodies where this question must be resolved, despite the fact that the political pressures and those of certain media are as self-serving as they are brutal and that information on this subject is the subject of a multitude of manipulation, lies and censorships”, denounced the president of the Spanish federation in a press release published by the newspaper El Mundo.
After five days of deliberation, the Spanish Administrative Court for Sport (TAD) opened disciplinary proceedings for “serious misconduct” against him on Friday, sources familiar with the matter told AFP. But this procedure for “serious misconduct” and not “very serious”, as requested by the Spanish government, does not allow the Higher Sports Council (CSD), a body dependent on the Ministry of Sports, to pronounce a new suspension to the against Rubiales, already suspended by FIFA for 90 days as a precaution. An explanation confirmed by Miquel Iceta at a press conference on Friday, referring to the laws of professional sport in the country.
The CSD had filed a complaint with the sports court last Friday for two “very serious offences”, a possible “abuse of authority” and “acts undermining the dignity or sporting propriety”, asking for the suspension of the president of the federation.
Luis Rubiales
Credit: Getty Images
Mea culpa by De la Fuente
A few minutes after the world coronation of La Roja, on August 20 in Sydney, the boss of the Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales kissed the N.10 Jenni Hermoso on the mouth by surprise, causing international outrage. Pushed to resign from all sides, Rubiales, 46, announced on August 25 that he would not leave his post “for a little kiss”, which, according to him, was “consented”. He also denounced a lawsuit brought by “false feminism”. This speech was applauded by almost all of the General Assembly of the Spanish Federation (RFEF), including the coaches of the men’s and women’s teams.
Men’s coach Luis De la Fuente made his mea culpa at a press conference on Friday and “asked for forgiveness”, assuring that the criticism against him was “totally deserved”. “I came to the assembly, convinced that we were going to attend the farewell of a president and it was quite the opposite“, he said, saying he was “in shock” when Rubiales repeated that he would not resign, while his departure had been presented as a given by all the Spanish media.
FIFA, which had opened a disciplinary investigation against Luis Rubiales, suspended him on August 26 for 90 days “from all football-related activity at national and international level” pending the progress of the procedures in progress. On the judicial level, the Spanish public prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary investigation into “facts which could constitute an offense of sexual assault” and invited Jenni Hermoso to come forward “within fifteen days” from August 28 in order to to be “informed of their rights”. A complaint on his part being essential to the launch of any proceedings.
The former FC Barcelona player, who claims to have felt “victim of aggression” has since received the support of many figures in Spanish sport, including Real Madrid and Barça legends Iker Casillas and Andrés Iniesta, the former Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol, and her national teammates, Alexia Putellas or Aitana Bonmati. The latter also dedicated her award for best UEFA player of the year to her teammate and to “all the women who suffer”.
Several demonstrations have taken place in Spain this week to demand an end to impunity for gender-based violence, and gestures of support are multiplying on football pitches, including banners saying “We are with you Jenni” and “#SeAcabo ” (let’s get it over with).