FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that Luis Rubiales’ kiss on the lips of star Jenny Hermoso without her consent “was never meant to happen.”
In his first reaction to the kiss that took place during the ceremony honoring the Spanish national team after its 1-0 victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final, Infantino said that the behavior of the Spanish Federation President Rubiales “spoiled” the occasion.
“The celebrations due to these wonderful heroines were spoiled by what happened after the final whistle,” Infantino wrote on Instagram.
“And what happened in the following days? It should never have happened.”
FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales on August 24, four days after the final in Sydney, and then suspended him from all football activities at the national and international levels for 90 days while the investigation is ongoing.
“FIFA’s disciplinary bodies immediately assumed their responsibility and took the necessary measures. The disciplinary proceedings will continue their legitimate course,” added Infantino, who attended the trophy handover ceremony after the final match.
And he added, “For our part, we must continue to focus on how we can provide more support for women and women’s football in the future, both on and off the field. Upholding true values, respecting players as people and also for great performance.”
The case has cast a shadow over Spain’s World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda, who is likely to be forced to step down.
And more than 80 players went on strike until the leadership of the local federation changed the game, in the wake of the forced kiss of Rubiales on the lips of Hermoso.
Last week, Vilda praised the speech in which Rubiales refused to resign from office and criticized “false feminism,” before taking a step back and later criticizing Rubiales’ “inappropriate and unacceptable” behavior.
And while the majority of Spain’s coaching staff offered to step down in the wake of the Rubiales incident, Filda did not, after Rubiales publicly announced that the coach was on his way to a new contract with a significant salary increase.
Reports in Spain said on Thursday that the regional presidents of the Spanish Football Federation had agreed on the need for Filda’s departure at a meeting they held on Monday, although he was said to want another role in the federation if he left his current position.
“We cannot say that he (was sacked), and we did not meet Filda until next week,” said the interim president of the Spanish Federation, Pedro Rocha.
He continued, “Once we do that, we will explain the issue. We have to start listening and talking, that’s the important thing.”
Rocha confirmed that Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who led “La Roja” to win the European Nations League title in June, will remain despite criticism in some quarters, after praising his role in Rubiales’ speech.
He concluded, “For sure (he will stay), he is supported by all members of the federation. He is a hardworking person and does a great job.”
2023-09-01 08:17:08
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