Just a week after casting a dark shadow over the Women’s World Cup, Luis Rubiales finds himself exiled from the realm of Spanish soccer. The president of the Spanish soccer federation, once a figurehead of the sport, now faces an irreparable tarnish to his reputation and the loss of his prestigious position. Luis Rubiales, known for a tenure in Spanish soccer marred by a mixture of achievements and controversies, sealed his own professional downfall with a shocking display of behavior during the tournament’s final in Sydney, Australia. His actions included an inappropriate kiss bestowed upon a player and a vulgar victory gesture involving his crotch.
“Rubiales is no longer fit to oversee Spanish soccer,” declared Spanish minister María Jesús Montero on a somber Sunday, right after FIFA provisionally suspended him for 90 days. She continued, “His intolerable conduct tainted the remarkable achievements of women’s soccer.”
Stepping into Rubiales’ void is Pedro Rocha, his vice-president and confidant, who will serve as the interim leader. Rocha has summoned an emergency meeting with the regional heads of the soccer federation to address the crisis. Simultaneously, women’s groups plan to rally in downtown Madrid in support of forward Jenni Hermoso, who suffered the controversial kiss from Rubiales following Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the final. FIFA’s intervention came after Rubiales refused to step down and defiantly denounced an emergency assembly of his federation as a “witch hunt” led by “false feminists.”
This dark chapter in Spanish soccer saw Hermoso denying any consent to the “mutual” kiss, describing herself as a victim of abuse of power. She also accused the federation of attempting to coerce her into supporting Rubiales, a claim met with denial and the federation’s threat of legal action. As part of Rubiales’ suspension, FIFA’s disciplinary judge Jorge Palacio forbade any contact between Rubiales, the federation, and Hermoso.
Spain’s government is actively pursuing Rubiales’ permanent removal through Spain’s Administrative Court for Sports. The court will convene in the coming week to address the government’s lawsuit, which alleges abuse of power and actions that tarnished the dignity and decorum of a sporting event. A guilty verdict could render Rubiales unfit to hold office.
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Notably, Spain’s soccer icon Andrés Iniesta, a 2010 World Cup winner, expressed his profound sadness over the week’s events. He denounced Rubiales for clinging to power, refusing to acknowledge his unacceptable behavior, and damaging Spain’s global image in both soccer and morality. Rubiales’ actions have not only cast a shadow over the crowning achievement of Spanish women’s soccer but also led to turmoil within his own federation.
While Rubiales briefly received some public support during Friday’s general assembly, where he was applauded by sections of the mostly male audience consisting of regional federation officials, coaches, referees, and lower division players, his steadfast refusal to step down triggered resignations within his board, including the vice-president responsible for women’s soccer.
The federation has initiated its own internal investigation into the incident, following its sexual violence protocol. Even figures like women’s coach Jorge Vilda and Spain’s men’s coach Luis de la Fuente, who initially applauded Rubiales, swiftly distanced themselves from their former boss after FIFA’s decisive action.
In the words of Beatriz Álvarez, president of Spain’s women’s league, “Luis Rubiales has brought about his own downfall through his deeds and words.” His chapter in Spanish soccer has reached its final page.
Originally posted 2023-08-28 14:27:43.
