Spanish FA boss Rubiales suspended by Fifa

Watch: Fans and players protest over Rubiales kissSpanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has been provisionally suspended by world governing body Fifa.Rubiales has refused to resign after kissing forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win over England in Sydney.The federation has said it will take legal action over Hermoso’s “lies”.But Fifa has opted to “provisionally suspend Mr Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level”.Fifa opened disciplinary proceedings against the 46-year-old on Thursday.”This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings,” Fifa added.Fifa has also ordered Rubiales or any representative of the federation (RFEF) to refrain from attempting to contact Hermoso, 33. The RFEF said in an earlier statementexternal-link it had tried to contact Hermoso, who is Spain’s leading women’s goalscorer with 51 from 101 appearances, but had “been unsuccessful at all times”.A torrid week for Spanish football20 August – During the ceremony following the World Cup final, Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso is first embraced and then kissed on the lips by Luis Rubiales.Hermoso later reacts to the kiss during a live stream and says she “did not enjoy” it.21 August – Rubiales issues an apology saying he is “sorry for those who were offended” after being fiercely criticised by other footballers, the media and even by the Spanish prime minister, some of whom called on him to step down.24 August – World football’s governing body Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings to examine Rubiales’ actions.25 August – A defiant Rubiales insists at a RFEF emergency meeting that he will not resign, and calls the kiss “consensual”.25 August – The Spanish government says it is beginning legal proceedings seeking to suspend Rubiales, with the Spanish secretary of sport saying he “wants this to be Spanish football’s MeToo moment”.25 August – Later that day, Hermoso releases a statement on Instagram rebuffing Rubiales’ claims, saying that “at no time… was his kiss ever consensual”.25 August – 81 Spanish players – including all 23 players who went to the Women’s World Cup – announce they will not play for Spain’s women’s team until Rubiales is removed from his position.26 August – The Spanish football federation says it will take legal action against Hermoso over her “lies” about the kiss.26 August – Fifa announces it is provisionally suspending Rubiales pending the outcome of its disciplinary proceedings.

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