Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish Football Association’s president Luis Rubiales after he kissed a player on the lips after the World Cup final.
Jenni Hermoso, 33, was lifted into the air and kissed by Rubiales after collecting her winners’ medal and afterwards stated that she “did not enjoy” it. The incident has subsequently overshadowed the squad’s historic achievement as Spain’s first female winners of the World Cup.
Rubiales, 46, has been widely condemned for his actions, which also included him grabbing his genitals with both hands while celebrating Spain’s victory as he stood alongside the Queen of Spain.
On Monday, Rubiales issued an apology to Hermoso saying that he was “completely wrong”, but he has still faced calls to step down from his role, with Spain’s acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez saying his “apologies are not enough”.
Miguel Iceta, Spain’s acting minister of culture and sport said “it’s unacceptable to kiss a player on the lips to congratulate her,” while acting equality minister Irene Montero added it’s a “form of sexual violence”.
On Wednesday, Futpro, the union for female footballers in Spain, said in a statement that “it actively supports and promotes prevention and intervention in the face of sexual harassment or abuse, machismo and sexism”.
And Fifa have now taken action with Rubiales’ conduct potentially constituting a breach of the organisation’s disciplinary code, specifically paragraphs one and two of Article 13, which covers offensive behaviour and fair play.
According to Article 13, individuals are to “comply with the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity” and disciplinary measures can be brought against anyone “violating the basic rules of decent conduct”.
Additionally, “insulting a natural or legal person in any way, especially by using offensive gestures, signs or language” or “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or Fifa into disrepute”, are breaches of the code.
Fifa’s statement in full
The Fifa Disciplinary Committee opens disciplinary proceedings against Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish FA.
The Fifa Disciplinary Committee informed Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Association, today that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final of the Fifa Women’s World Cup on 20 August 2023.
The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code.
The Fifa Disciplinary Committee will only provide further information on these disciplinary proceedings once it has issued a final decision on the matter.
Fifa reiterates its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behaviour to the contrary.
Spain’s victory in Sydney came amidst a backdrop of controversy surrounding manager Jorge Vilda.
After Spain’s defeat to England at last summer’s Euros, a number of players accused Vilda and members of his coaching staff of behaviour and actions that affected their emotional and physical wellbeing.
One of Spain’s team captains, Irene Paredes, called for systemic change within the Spanish Football Federation’s treatment of its women’s team, with 15 players stepping down from international duty.
Only three returned to play in the World Cup, but Rubiales has stuck by Vilda despite the fallout.
Despite the uneasy truce, Spain’s players notably celebrated amongst themselves away from Vilda and his coaches during the tournament.
Analysis: Vilda controversy will be swept under the carpet after World Cup win
By Simon Hart
Spain’s success on Sunday made them only the second nation after Germany to have won both the men’s and women’s World Cups and a group of players who were far from household names a few weeks ago had 5.6 million Spaniards tuning into the final – along with another 20,000 waiting to celebrate with them back at Madrid’s Puente del Rey on their arrival home.
And if abroad, the post-final focus was on the kiss that Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish FA, planted on the mouth of forward Jenni Hermoso during the medal presentation – of which more later – it was not the only story as Spain’s women basked in their moment of glory.
There was the poignancy of match-winner Olga Carmona learning about the death of her father after the final, and reflections on the huge strides taken by the women’s game in Spain, where a professional top flight arrived in 2021, three years after the WSL in England went fully professional.
And yet just as Spain had entered the tournament shadowed by the controversy of the players’ rebellion against Vilda that meant 12 players made themselves unavailable for his World Cup plans, so they flew home with another – that of Rubiales and his “beso”.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/ui5lbhM
Post a Comment