The Luis Rubiales case continues to stir controversy in Spain. This Wednesday, the Spanish government demanded a “transparent and urgent” investigation from the national football federation following the forced kiss by the president of the federation on a female player of the Spanish national team (Roja) during the World Cup final.
Victor Franco, in his capacity as the Spanish Secretary of State for Sports and President of the Higher Sports Council (CSD), announced that measures would be taken by the Council if the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) did not take action. He also mentioned the possibility of referring the case to the Administrative Sports Tribunal in Spain for resolution.
“I imagine that the relevant parties will talk to the two parties involved and create a report,” he stated on Cadena Ser radio, as relayed by RMC Sport. “I have personally informed the Federation that this report must be transparent and urgent, because if it is not, we are obviously obliged to take the corresponding additional measures,” he added.
The Spanish Football Federation announced on Tuesday night that due to the “urgent nature” of the matter, an extraordinary general assembly would be held on Friday to discuss the forced kiss incident. This act, described by Luis Rubiales himself as an innocent gesture between friends, has now taken unexpected proportions and could cost him his position.
As a reminder, after Spain’s victory against England (1-0) in the final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the president of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, forcibly kissed Jenni Hermoso as she went up to the podium to receive her medal. Since then, the Spanish leader has faced criticism worldwide for his actions.
