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    Luis Rubiales Can't Be Suspended by Spanish Government Amid Ruling, Investigation

    Erin WalshSeptember 1, 2023

    MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 25: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - 'ROYAL SPANISH FOOTBALL FEDERATION / HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), speaks during the extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly of the Spanish Football Federation in Madrid, Spain on August 25, 2023. In a shocking speech on Friday, the president of Spain's football federation refused to quit for kissing a female player while celebrating the World Cup victory. Luis Rubiales was widely expected to step down during an emergency meeting of Spain's football federation. Instead, he insisted he was the victim of the witch-hunt, gave lessons about "real feminism," and vowed to take legal action against Spanish politicians for accusing him of misconduct. (Photo by Royal Spanish Football Federation / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
    Royal Spanish Football Federation / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

    Royal Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales cannot be suspended by the Spanish government for his behavior following the Spanish women's national team's victory at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

    Rubiales can't be suspended after Spain's Administrative Sports Court opened a "serious" but not "very serious" breach of conduct investigation into the Spanish soccer chief for his unwelcomed kiss on forward Jennifer Hermoso during the team's World Cup celebration, according to ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens.

    Rubiales said in a statement on Friday, via Semra Hunter of Sky Sports:

    Semra Hunter @SemraHunter

    •"I have learned that no matter how great the joy is and deep the emotion, including a World Cup win, sports leaders should be required to exhibit exemplary behavior, and mine was not."

    Semra Hunter @SemraHunter

    •"I also gave the corresponding explanations, telling the truth of what happened. It's my only version, the one that I've maintained from the beginning and I continue to defend and I am not going to modify."

    Semra Hunter @SemraHunter

    •"I repeat: with the consent of both parties, both with affectionate hugs, as well as the kiss and subsequent parting thereafter full of affectionate mutual gestures, which occurred in the medal ceremony on stage."

    Semra Hunter @SemraHunter

    •"From the beginning the RFEF, through its integrity department, carried out the pertinent procedures. I was called and collaborated to clarify the facts. I am the most interested party. I will continue to collaborate in all areas so that all of this until it comes to an end."

    Semra Hunter @SemraHunter

    ·"I am especially concerned that some of those who should proclaim and help guarantee the separation of powers in our country, insist on taking part and putting pressure on me, instead of letting justice act with all the guarantees, staying uninvolved."

    Semra Hunter @SemraHunter

    ·"I feel that something has changed and in the face of such spurious injustice and public judgment, ordinary citizens, women and men alike, have come together. I want to thank you here and now."

    Semra Hunter @SemraHunter

    ·"I continue to trust in the independence of the bodies where this issue must be resolved, despite the fact that the political pressure and that of certain media with interests is brutal."

    Semra Hunter @SemraHunter

    ·"Today, the TAD (adminitrative court) has decided to open a file on me. As there is no reason, according to the resolution supported by said body, to classify any action as VERY SERIOUS, a provisional suspension may not be applied by the CSD Board of Directors."

    Semra Hunter @SemraHunter

    ·"In the name of Feminism, it must not be about trying to sink a man - or a woman - without a fair trial. Equality is about identical rights for everyone. Justice must be applied to people without the gender having an impact on the result."<br><br>END

    Rubiales was captured on video and in photos kissing Hermoso after Spain defeated England 1-0 in the Women's World Cup final on Aug. 20. He has refused to step down from his position despite mounting pressure to do so, saying the kiss was "consensual."

    However, Hermoso has denied his comments on several occasions, saying she felt "vulnerable and the victim of an aggressive act."

    "I want to clarify, as you can see in the images, that at no time did I consent to the kiss that he gave me," Hermoso said. "I won't tolerate that my word is called into question, and even less so that words are invented which I didn't say."

    Rubiales is also facing backlash for "grabbing his crotch, hugging and kissing other players and carrying another over his shoulder in the celebrations," according to ESPN.

    Had Spain's Administrative Sports Court deemed his violations as "very serious," the government could have suspended him immediately.

    The ruling is based on Spain's 1990 sports law, according to ESPN, and the Spanish government will still look for Rubiales to be suspended as the investigation into his actions is conducted.

    Numerous members of the soccer community have put their support behind Hermoso, including England women's national team manager Sarina Wiegman and United States women's national team star Alex Morgan.

    Wiegman, who won the UEFA women's coach of the year award this week, used her speech at the ceremony to support Hermoso and the Spanish women's national team.

    "We all know the issues around the Spanish team and it really hurts me as a coach, as a mother of two daughters, as a wife and as a human being," Wiegman said. "The game has grown so much but there's still a long way to go in women's football and in society.

    "I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team, the team that played in the World Cup such great football that everyone enjoyed. This team deserves to be celebrated and deserved to be listened to."

    Morgan wrote in a social media post that she was "disgusted by the public actions of Luis Rubiales" and that she stood by Hermoso.

    Alex Morgan @alexmorgan13

    I'm disgusted by the public actions of Luis Rubiales. I stand by <a href="https://twitter.com/Jennihermoso?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jennihermoso</a> and the Spanish players. Winning a World Cup should be one of the best moments in these players' lives but instead it's overshadowed by assault, misogyny, and failures by the Spanish federation.

    FIFA, world soccer's governing body, suspended Rubiales from all football-related activity for an initial 90-day period on Aug. 26.

    He could still be banned from soccer for a maximum of two years and could also face a criminal case. Spanish prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into Rubiales and will give Hermoso the opportunity to press charges.