Spanish Soccer Federation President Has Been Temporarily Suspended From All Football-Related Activities After Giving The National Team’s Forward A Non-Consensual Kiss [Video]

The President of the Spanish Soccer Federation has been temporarily suspended from engaging in any football-related activities.

Luis Rubiales sparked controversy when he kissed Spanish national team forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the awards ceremony. On Friday, during the emergency general assembly of the federation, Rubiales stood firm and declined to resign.

“The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio (Colombia), in use of the powers granted by article 51 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level,” FIFA said. “This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings opened against Mr. Luis Rubiales on Thursday, August 24.”

Additionally, Palacio instructed Rubiales to abstain from communicating or attempting to communicate with Hermoso or individuals associated with her. Before the suspension, Rubiales labeled the kiss as “consensual” while emphasizing that he wasn’t resigning.

“My desire in that moment was exactly the same as if I’d have been kissing one of my daughters,” he said. “No more or less. Everybody understands that. It was a spontaneous kiss, mutual, euphoric and consensual. That’s the key.

Rubiales added, “[Hermoso] had missed a penalty. I have a great relationship with all the players. In the moment that Jenni arrived, she lifted me up off the ground. We almost fell over. We hugged. I said, ‘Forget about the penalty, you’ve been fantastic. We wouldn’t have won the World Cup without you.’ She said: ‘You’re great.’ I said, ‘A kiss?’ and she said: ‘Yes.’