Luis Rubiales: Spanish FA calls ‘extraordinary and pressing’ assembly over World Cup kiss row

The Spanish soccer federation has referred to as an “extraordinary and urgent” assembly over the Women’s World Cup kissing row.

Luis Rubiales, 46, has refused to step down from his function because the federation’s president however has been suspended by FIFA after he kissed ladies’s staff participant Jenni Hermoso, 33, on the lips after Spain’s 1-0 win towards England final Sunday.

He was extensively anticipated to resign at a gathering on Friday however as a substitute made a defiant speech, claiming he was the sufferer of a witch-hunt by “false feminists” and saying the kiss was consensual.

Spain’s ladies’s staff coach Jorge Vilda described the disaster as “a real nonsense” that has “tarnished a well-deserved victory” for the gamers and the nation.

The Spanish federation’s interim president Pedro Rocha has referred to as the assembly on Monday “to evaluate the situation in which the federation finds itself” and have a look at “the decisions or actions to be taken,” a spokesman mentioned on Sunday.

An inside investigation has additionally been launched after the federation’s sexual violence protocol was activated.

Maria Dolores Martinez Madrona, the protocol’s safety delegate who’s conducting the investigation, mentioned in a press release “we demand the utmost respect for the right to privacy and dignity of every person involved”.

Hermoso has mentioned that “in no moment” did she consent to the kiss.

On Saturday, she appeared amongst spectators on the Women’s Cup closing between Atletico Madrid and AC Milan – and was applauded by the group.

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Players on the match held a banner studying: “With you Jennifer Hermoso”.

Spain’s World Cup profitable squad has refused to play any additional video games till the “federation leadership is removed”, whereas eleven teaching and technical workers throughout Spanish soccer have resigned.

Mr Vilda, who has been an ally of Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales since he was backed by the Spanish soccer federation after 15 Spanish gamers pulled out of the squad late final 12 months in row over their emotional and bodily wellbeing, has not stepped down.

But he advised Spanish sports website La Marca that Spain’s victory has been “harmed” by his “inappropriate behaviour”.

“The events that have taken place since Spain won the Women’s World Cup for the first time in its history and to this day have been a real nonsense and have generated an unprecedented situation, tarnishing a well-deserved victory for our players and our country,” he mentioned.

Both he and the boys’s nationwide staff supervisor Luis de La Fuente had been seen applauding Mr Rubiales on Friday earlier than condemning him in separate statements the next day.

‘Totally unacceptable’

Men’s groups, together with Cadiz and Sevilla, made public showings of help for Hermoso earlier than enjoying video games at their dwelling stadiums, whereas Real Madrid, Barcelona and different golf equipment issued statements criticizing Rubiales and backing the federal government’s transfer to oust him.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández condemned Mr Rubiales’ behaviour throughout a pre-match media convention, calling it “totally unacceptable.”

Victor Francos Diaz, president of the Spanish authorities’s High Council of Sport (CSD), mentioned it “respects the decision” of FIFA to droop Mr Rubiales for 90 days, pending the result of disciplinary proceedings.

Mr Francos beforehand mentioned that though Mr Rubiales cannot be sacked by the federal government, the sports council will use a authorized process in a sports tribunal.

Spanish soccer’s ‘Me Too’ second?

“We want this to be a ‘Me Too’ of Spanish soccer,” he added.

In the model of occasions Mr Rubiales gave in his speech on Friday, he mentioned Hermoso had lifted him up in celebration and he requested her for “a little kiss?” and he or she mentioned sure.

“The kiss was the same I could give one of my daughters,” he claimed, accusing her of “lying” about her lack of consent.

Before the kiss, Mr Rubiales grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture from the part of dignitaries on the stadium, with Spain’s Queen Letizia and the 16-year-old Princess Infanta Sofia standing close by.

But the Spanish FA has to date stood by its president and threatened authorized motion to defend him.

Meanwhile folks have been gathering exterior the Spanish Soccer Federation in Madrid to protest, with some carrying banners and holding up purple playing cards.

Gender points have grow to be a distinguished matter in Spain in recent times with tens of 1000’s of ladies collaborating in avenue marches protesting sexual abuse and violence.