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FIFA suspends Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales after he kissed female Spain player Jenni Hermoso

Katherine Sidnell

Published 
| Last updated 

FIFA suspends Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales after he kissed female Spain player Jenni Hermoso

FIFA has suspended Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales.

It's after the Spanish FA president kissed female player Jenni Hermoso, in a shocking moment at the FIFA Women's World Cup final in Sydney.

Though he initially refused to step down after last Sunday's incident (20 August), the exec will now be banned from all football-related activities.

Rubiales has been suspended by FIFA. Credit: PA
Rubiales has been suspended by FIFA. Credit: PA
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Following the decision, FIFA clarified the suspension, saying that the disgraced football exec would be banned from 'all football-related activities at a national and international level'.

The organisation then added: "This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days."

Although it's unclear whether more disciplinary action will follow, Rubiales actions at the Women' World Cup have come under increasing fire.

It's after he grabbed player Jenni Hermoso and kissed her on the lips during the awards ceremony, after Spain called time on England's campaign with a 1-0 victory last weekend.

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Following the incident at the winner's podium, Rubiales said it had been a 'spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual'.

However, Hermoso hit back at this, later accusing the Spanish Federation of having a 'manipulative, hostile and controlling culture'.

Since then, 81 players have signed a letter saying that they will not play for the Spanish football team while the exec is still in charge.

The football exec kissed Hermoso in a shocking moment during the Women's World Cup Final. Credit: BBC
The football exec kissed Hermoso in a shocking moment during the Women's World Cup Final. Credit: BBC
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Amid the ongoing scandal, the Spanish football Federation issued a statement about the disgraced president.

Sharing images of the moment, the federation (RFEF) claimed that Hermoso had allegedly 'lifted' the football exec and that, therefore, the kiss had been consensual.

"Mr President's feet are ostensibly lifted from the ground as a result of the player's action," the statement read.

"The tests are conclusive. Mr President has not lied.

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The statement continued: "The RFEF and Mr President will demonstrate each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable, by the player herself."

The Spanish Federation also announced that they would seek legal action over players refusing to play.

The statement added that it was 'an obligation for all members of the federation if they are called up'.

As the scandal continues to worsen, Hermoso gave her version of events.

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She said: "The situation left me in shock because of the context of the celebration, and with the time passed, and those initial feelings being able to sink, I feel the need to denounce this as I feel that no one, in no work space, sporting or social, should be a victim to this time of unconsensual behaviour.

"I felt vulnerable and a victim of aggression, an impulsive act, sexist, out of place and without any type of consent from my part. In short, I wasn’t respected."

Featured Image Credit: BBC /Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Topics: Sport, Football, World News

Katherine Sidnell
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