MADRID, SPAIN – AUGUST 28: Press at the entrance of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), in … [+]
On Monday, the regional presidents of the Spanish Football Federation convened and called for Luis Rubiales’ prompt resignation from his position as the federation’s president. This request comes in response to his conduct during the FIFA Women’s World Cup final.
Rubiales has faced increasing criticism following his kiss of the Spanish forward, Jenni Hermoso, during the awards ceremony after La Roja’s historic victory in the World Cup on August 20. Hermoso has repeatedly stated that she did not provide her consent for the kiss.
FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities for 90 days pending the outcome of ongoing disciplinary proceedings. Simultaneously, Spanish prosecutors have announced the initiation of a sexual assault investigation against Luis Rubiales.
The commission of presidents of regional and territorial federations of the RFEF released a statement that reads: “After the latest events and the unacceptable behaviors that have seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the presidents request that Mr. Luis Rubiales immediately present his resignation as president of the RFEF.”
MADRID, SPAIN – Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), speaks during … [+]
The statement continues: “We will urge the corresponding bodies to carry out a deep and imminent organic restructuring in strategic positions of the Federation to give way to a new stage of management in Spanish football.”
Through the statement, the regional bosses also urged the interim President Pedro Rocha to “immediately withdraw the last communication on behalf of the Federation with FIFA and UEFA that was issued today”.
The communication in question is a statement released, earlier on Monday, by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on behalf of Andreu Camps, the secretary general of the Spanish federation. In this statement, Camps requested that UEFA suspend the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The basis for this request was an accusation of government interventionism against Luis Rubiales
If UEFA decides to proceed in accordance with the Spanish Federation’s request, Spanish clubs could potentially be in danger of pulling out from European competitions.
However, a source within UEFA told The Associated Press it will not comply with the Spanish federation’s request for a sanction that would bar Spanish teams from competitions such as the Champions League and could sway public opinion in favor of letting Rubiales keep his job.
The reaction of the RFEF and Rubiales to the allegations has been widely condemned after the former footballer refused to resign on Friday during the meeting at RFEF headquarters.
The global footballers’ union FIFPRO issued a statement urging Rubiales to resign while 81 international Spanish players have said they will refuse call-ups to the national team until a change is made within the RFEF.
On Monday, Angeles Béjar, Rubiales’ mother took the drastic step of locking herself in a church in Motril, in Granada. She has initiated a hunger strike until a solution is found to the “inhumane and bloody” campaign targeting her son.
Supporters of Spain’s football federation president Luis Rubiales hold banners reading ‘Stop this … [+]