The Spanish Administrative Court for Sport (TAD) has opened disciplinary proceedings for ” serious misconduct “ against the suspended president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, after his forced kiss on the player Jenni Hermoso, sources familiar with the matter told Agence France-Presse.
The initiation of proceedings for ” serious misconduct “ and no ” very serious “, as requested by the Spanish government, does not allow the Higher Sports Council (CSD), a governmental body, to pronounce a new sanction against Rubiales, already suspended by FIFA for ninety days as a conservatory. An explanation confirmed by the Spanish Minister of Culture and Sport, Miquel Iceta, at a press conference on Friday 1er September, referring to the laws governing professional sports in the country.
The Spanish government “will ask” directly to the TAD of “proceed with the temporary suspension” by Luis Rubiales, Culture and Sports Minister Miquel Iceta said on Friday. “The Superior Sports Council will ask the court to temporarily suspend Luis Rubiales from his duties until the case against him is definitively resolved”Mr. Iceta said at a press conference.
The TAD had been deliberating since last Monday on the complaint filed last Friday by the CSD for two “very serious offences”a possible “abuse of authority” and “acts detrimental to the dignity or sporting propriety”asking for the suspension of the president of the federation.
Wave of international indignation
“We continue to believe that this complaint has all the legal grounds to be treated as a very serious offense”, explained on Monday the Secretary of State for Sports and President of the CSD, Victor Francos. The qualification ” very serious “ of the facts was necessary for the CSD to be able to suspend Rubiales pending the TAD’s final verdict.
Luis Rubiales, who sparked international outrage by surprisingly kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth during the World Cup medal ceremony, has been suspended for ninety days by FIFA, who also opened disciplinary proceedings against him last week.
Luis Rubiales said on Friday he would continue to defend himself “to prove the truth”. “I continue to trust the independence of the bodies where this question must be resolved, despite the fact that political pressure and that of certain media is as self-serving as it is brutal and that information on this subject is the subject of a multitude of manipulations, lies and censorship”denounced Mr. Rubiales in a press release published by the daily El Mundo.
In addition to sports justice, the prosecution of the National Audience, Spain’s main criminal court, has decided to open proceedings for “sexual assault” against him, according to a press release. The prosecution clarified that it was basing itself on the “public statements” of the player, but that he will contact her to suggest that she file a complaint, an essential step to advance the criminal proceedings.