The Spanish government’s attempts to remove Luis Rubiales from his post have hit a speed bump.
The country’s Administrative Sports Court (TAD) has started proceedings against Rubiales, the Spanish federation (RFEF) president, but only under statutes applying to “serious” breaches of conduct.
That designation, rather than the “very serious” label the government had sought, means that while Rubiales could receive a two-year ban after the court’s investigation, the government’s sports council cannot suspend him on its own.
The court “only considers the [charges] serious. We believe that they are very serious,” said Spain’s minister of culture and sports, Miquel Iceta. “The Superior Sports Council itself could have directly suspended Mr. Rubiales if they were very serious. But as TAD have not qualified it as such, it is up to the court itself. We will file a request for them to [designate the charges as very serious].”
Rubiales has refused to step down despite national and international pressure over his actions in the immediate aftermath of Spain’s World Cup final victory over England. Most notably, Rubiales kissed attacker Jenni Hermoso on the lips just after she had received her winner’s medal, an incident that the Pachuca star has repeatedly said was not consensual.
The federation’s lack of willingness to act against Rubiales has resulted in public demonstrations in Spain, and a strike by the entire squad just after lifting the World Cup trophy. Last week, FIFA suspended Rubiales for 90 days.
Spanish prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation into whether Rubiales’ conduct could result in criminal charges.
Rubiales issues yet another denial
Not long after the TAD decision went public Friday, Rubiales issued yet another denial of wrongdoing, echoing his previous statements on the matter.
Rubiales apologized for what he called “obvious mistakes,” only to once again insist the kiss was consensual.
•”On August 20, I made some obvious mistakes, which I regret sincerely, from the heart. It is true that for such errors I have asked for forgiveness because it was fair; and now I do it again with humility. I do it convinced and with the purpose of improving.”
— Semra Hunter (@SemraHunter) September 1, 2023
“The spontaneity and happiness of the historic moment led us to carry out a mutual and consented act, the product of great enthusiasm. At no time was there any aggression, indeed, there was not even the slightest discomfort, but an overflowing joy in both,” said Rubiales in his written statement.
The latest chapter is somewhat confusing, as this latest statement seems to only reiterate his previous insistences. With Rubiales’ insistence that the kiss was not problematic, it is unclear exactly which actions he has been apologizing for. Amid the celebrations, Rubiales gestured towards his crotch, grabbed multiple players, and at one point was seen on an Instagram story declaring that he would marry Hermoso in Ibiza.
In any case, the RFEF has named Pedro Rocha as its interim president, and has since demanded that Rubiales resign. FIFA also retains the option to ban Rubiales under its own disciplinary process, which is where his current ban stems from. UEFA would seemingly also have the power to open its own proceedings against Rubiales, but president Aleksander Čeferin told L’Equipe on Wednesday that he didn’t see a point in doing so.
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