FIFA Opens Disciplinary Case Against Rubiales After He Kissed Player at Women’s World Cup

The Spanish federation president has yet to resign despite global outrage after Sunday’s final.

FIFA announced that it has opened a disciplinary case against Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales after he kissed forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory.

A three-person disciplinary committee led by former Colombian judge Jorge Palacio will determine whether Rubiales violated “the basic rules of decent conduct” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute,” per the Associated Press. 

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has informed Rubiales that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final,” FIFA said in a statement. “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 behavior to the contrary.”

On Wednesday, Hermoso released a statement calling for the Spanish federation to take action while not referring to the specific incident with FUTPRO Spanish women’s soccer players’ union was looking into the matter on her behalf. 

Immediately after the incident, Rubiales refused to apologize, referring to anyone who thought his actions inappropriate as “idiots.” He later issued a half-hearted apology: “… Here we saw it as something natural and normal. But on the outside it has caused a stir, because people have felt hurt by it, so I have to apologize.”

FIFA did not issue a timetable for its decision, but potential sanctions can include a fine or suspension. Despite receiving criticism from the Spanish women’s league and even Spain’s prime minister, Rubiales, a UEFA vice president, has not stepped down from his various roles in European soccer.