The Rubiales case is the event that marked the sport in 2023

One of the incidents that marked the sport in 2023 was “The Rubiales Case” which sparked a whole discussion about respect and consent.

Former President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). kissed without consent To Jenny Hermoso and behaved inappropriately touching the genitals in attack, in the penalty area during and after the 2023 World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand.

Here is the report of the case that attracted worldwide attention:

August 20: World Championship awards ceremony.

Rubiales kissed the soccer player on the lips after receiving the gold medal at the Women’s World Cup.

Given the controversy, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) released statements attributed to the player, calling the events “a completely spontaneous mutual gesture of friendship and gratitude.”.

August 21: Rubiales apologizes for kissing Hermoso.

“Of course, if there are people who felt offended, I must apologize, there is no other way,” said the then-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

August 23: Jenny demands “exemplary measures”

Hermoso, through the Association of Professional Footballers (FUTPRO) and his representative agency, demanded “exemplary measures” after kissing Rubiales without permission.

24 August: The Spanish government announces that it “will act” and FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings.

The Spanish government said it would “act” if there were no “events” regarding the situation of Rubiales, who heads the RFEF and has been accused of sexist views.

“On the part of the government, we are monitoring this fact very closely, because this cannot continue. Of course, we expect events, but if they do not happen, if they do not happen, the government will act,” assured Presidential Minister Félix Bolaños.

Meanwhile, FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to respect the integrity of people, explaining that its actions could be regarded as a violation of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

August 25: Hermoso denies Rubiales; The world champions will leave the national team if he remains in his post, and Liga MX Femenil will support Jenny

The world champion with the Spanish national team denied the version proposed by Luis Rubiales, in which he said that he “never” consented to the kiss he received on the lips.

For their part, the 23 Women’s World Cup champions announced in a statement released by their FutPro association that they would no longer participate in national team calls while Rubiales remains in office.

Meanwhile, Women’s League MX In his statement, he offered his support to the Tusas del Pachuca player.

Due to the situation of the Spanish player of the Pachuca club and world champion Jennifer Hermoso, Liga MX Femenil offers any support to guarantee direct support for the player.

August 28: Luis Rubiales’ mother locks herself in a church and goes on a hunger strike, and prosecutors begin an investigation into the kiss and propose to expose Hermoso.

Angeles Bejar, the mother of Luis Rubiales, locked herself in the Divina Pastor church in Motril (Granada, Andalusia) and went on a hunger strike until a solution was found to “the inhumane and bloody hunt they are waging on my son for something.” he doesn’t deserve it.”

On the same day, the prosecutor’s office of the Spanish National Court opened “investigative proceedings” into the complaints filed against Rubiales and offered the player the opportunity to charge him with the crime of sexual assault.

September 6: Hermoso reports Rubiales to prosecutors.

The Spanish football star filed a complaint with the National Prosecutor’s Office.

10 September: Rubiales resigns as president of the RFEF.

By sending the letter, Rubiales resigned from his position following a 90-day suspension imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary Commission.

October 2: Selected Spanish women testify before a judge.

Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes and Misa Rodriguez confirmed before Judge Francisco de Jorge the pressure their partner was subjected to by Rubiales and his entourage to publicly justify the kiss.

The three national team players testified for about an hour each before National Court Judge Francisco de Jorge.

October 30: FIFA suspends Luis Rubiales for three years.

The FIFA Disciplinary Commission suspended Luis Rubiales for three years from all activities related to football at the national and international level, considering that he had violated Article 13 of the organization’s code.

Rubiales was initially suspended for 90 days.

6 December: FIFA confirms three-year ban for Luis Rubiales

Following Rubiales’ appeal, FIFA confirmed the former RFEF president’s three-year ban from engaging in any football activities.

In a press release, world football’s governing body said:

He is banned from participating in any football-related activity for a period of three years for conduct contrary to the principles enshrined in Article 13 of the Disciplinary Code.

December 13: Rubiales claims Hermoso is “lying” and that everything “was revenge.”

In the interview, Rubiales said Jennie was “lying” about the non-consensual kiss after the 2023 World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand. He also assured that the Spanish national team took advantage of the incident to bring both him and the former coach “forward.” from “Roja”, Jorge Wilda.

The former leader said that he was subjected to “blackmail from some football players”

As for what happened to the kiss he gave Jenny Hermoso after the World Cup final, he insisted that it was not “good” and that he was wrong, but that “it was a product of spontaneity”, “there was nothing sexual.” and that it was “consensual.”

It’s a kiss like the one I would give to my daughter or a lottery winner the day I won the lottery, and it was also about trust.