The Spanish Football Federation launched an internal investigation after the sexual violence protocol was triggered.
The president of the federation was Luis Rubiales Suspended by FIFA After kissing striker Gini Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women’s World Cup.
Hermoso, 33, said the kiss after last Sunday’s match was not consensual.
The matter is now under investigation, said María Dolores Martínez Madrona, Delegate for Protection of the Protocol.
“Our protocol is currently operational and in the midst of an investigation into the events, and therefore we demand the utmost respect for the right to privacy and dignity of all individuals involved,” she said in a message published by the Spanish Federation.
“As the Sexual Violence Protection Delegate, my duty is to adhere to protocol and protect the privacy of those affected by this incident and that of the Sexual Violence Advisory Committee.”
The protocol is triggered once a complaint is submitted and means that the Protection Delegate, a position currently held by referee Madrona, will investigate and send its findings to the Sexual Violence Advisory Committee.
On Saturday RFEF He threatened legal action against Hermoso.
Despite widespread criticism and pressure to resign. Rubiales vows to “fight to the end” While delivering a speech to the Extraordinary General Assembly called by the Spanish Football Federation on Friday.
Victor Francos, Spain’s sports minister and head of the state-run National Sports Council, said the government had launched legal proceedings seeking to stop Rubiales, “so that he has to provide explanations before the Sports Court (TAD).”
“If TAD accepts the government’s complaint, we will immediately proceed to suspend the duties of the president,” Spanish Sports Minister Mikel Eseta told El Pais.
How did the situation come to this point?
August 20 – During the party after the World Cup final, Luis Rubiales first hugged Spain striker Gini Hermoso and then kissed him on the lips.
Hermoso later responded to the kiss during the live broadcast and said she “didn’t enjoy it”.
August 21 – Rubiales issued an apology saying he was “sorry to those who felt offended” after being heavily criticized by other footballers, the media and even the Spanish prime minister, some of whom called for him to step down.
August 24 – FIFA is opening disciplinary proceedings to examine Rubiales’ actions.
August 25 – A defiant Rubiales insisted at an emergency meeting of the Spanish Football Federation that he would not resign, describing the kiss as “consensual”.
August 25 – The Spanish government says it has launched legal proceedings seeking to stop Rubiales, with Spain’s sports minister saying he “wants this to be a MeToo moment in Spanish football”.
August 25 – Later that day, Hermoso released a statement on Instagram denying Rubiales’ claims, saying, “At no time was his kiss at all consensual.”
August 25 – 81 Spanish players – including all 23 players who have competed in the Women’s World Cup – have announced that they will not play for the Spain women’s national team until Rubiales is sacked.
August 26 – The Spanish Football Federation said it would take legal action over “every lie that is published”.
August 26 – FIFA announced that Rubiales was provisionally suspended pending the results of the disciplinary proceedings.
August 26 – World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda blasted Rubiales while his entire coaching staff quit in protest at the federation’s president.
