Luis Rubiales: The Spanish government faces a setback in its efforts to suspend football president Rubiales after a court ruling

CNN
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The Spanish government has suffered a setback in its attempts to sack the embattled Football Association president Luis Rubiales He was removed from his position due to the unwanted kiss he gave to Spanish star Jennifer Hermoso.

Spain’s Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAD) on Friday agreed to open a case against Rubiales but rejected the government’s argument that his offenses were “very serious”, preventing his immediate ban and forcing ministers to ask the court to do so instead.

Culture and Sports Minister Mikel Isita said in a press conference on Friday that he would file a separate complaint with TAD and ask for Rubiales to be removed from his post until the investigation is resolved.

This development comes as pressure continues on Rubiales since he gave an unwanted kiss to Hermoso after Spain won the Women’s World Cup on August 20.

Rubiales was suspended by FIFA from all football-related activities for 90 days on Saturday, although he could eventually face suspension by the government’s Supreme Council for Sport (CSD).

A government statement issued on Tuesday said Rubiales showed “unacceptable behaviour” in the World Cup final and described his actions as “extremely serious” breaches of the country’s sports law, something TAD has now rejected.

Rubialis On Friday, he expressed remorse over his actions, but also criticized the “contrived campaign” against him, insisting he had been treated unfairly.

He added: “Last August 20, I made some clear mistakes, and I deeply regret them with all my heart. It is true that I asked for forgiveness for such mistakes.

“I have learned that no matter how great the joy and depth of emotion is, even when winning a World Cup, sports leaders must be required to show exemplary behavior, and that was not the case for me,” he said, adding that he apologized to the players. And the federation, the fans and anyone who might feel insulted by his actions.

Rubiales previously admitted he made a mistake while kissing Hermoso, but said the act was consensual, a claim Hermoso has flatly rejected.

In a statement last Friday, the soccer champion said she had never consented to a kiss, writing on social media: “I felt vulnerable and the victim of an impulsive, sexist and inappropriate act without any consent from me.” part.”

Hermoso also said the Spanish Federation president’s explanation of the incident was “categorically” false, adding: “I want to repeat as I did before that I did not like this incident.”

Pressure has increased on Rubiales to step down from his position as president of the Spanish Federation after he vehemently refused to do so during a speech he delivered before the Federation’s extraordinary general assembly last Friday, pledging to “struggle until the end.”

Earlier this week, all 19 regional presidents of the Spanish Federation called on Rubiales to resign, while also giving unanimous support to interim president Pedro Rocha, who took office after Rubiales was suspended by FIFA.