A controversy that makes people talk about it on a daily basis. The president of the International Football Federation, Gianni Infantino, reacted for the first time on Thursday August 31 to the scandal of the forced kiss given by Luis Rubiales, suspended boss of Spanish football, saying that “it should never have happened. “.
“The well-deserved celebrations of these magnificent champions were ruined by what happened after the final whistle. And what continued to happen the following days,” the leader wrote on his Instagram account. “This should never have happened. But it happened and the Fifa disciplinary bodies immediately assumed their responsibilities and took the necessary measures,” added Gianni Infantino.
Luis Rubiales caused a wave of indignation around the world by forcibly kissing Spain international Jenni Hermoso during the medal presentation after Spain crowned the final of the 2023 World Cup on August 20 in Sydney. FIFA, which had opened disciplinary proceedings against him on August 24, suspended him two days later from all football activity at national and international level for a period of 90 days, the time of the investigation.
“The disciplinary process will continue its legitimate course,” observes Gianni Infantino in the message posted on Instagram, accompanying ten photos taken in the moments after the victory of Roja where we see him with the Spaniards on the podium.
“From our side,” he added, “we must continue to focus on how to support women and women’s football more in the future, both on and off the pitch. Stand up for true values ??and respect the players as people and for their fantastic performances,” he continued.
In Spain, the Spanish public prosecutor’s office announced on Monday the opening of a preliminary investigation for “sexual assault” against Luis Rubiales, who defends himself and speaks of a “consensual kiss”, a version categorically denied by Jenni Hermoso.
The suspended president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is also the subject of a complaint by the Spanish government to the Administrative Sports Court (TAD), the competent court in Spain in sports matters.
If the TAD deems it admissible and decides to open proceedings, the government may then, within 48 hours, suspend him from his duties, while the case is judged on the merits.
The presidents of the regional federations of Spanish football, summoned urgently on Monday by the interim president of the RFEF, called for their immediate resignation.
