One of the incidents that shaped the sport in 2023 was the “Rubiales Case”, which sparked a whole debate about respect and consent.
Former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) kissed Jenni Hermoso without consent and behaved inappropriately, offensively touching genitals, in the penalty area during and after the 2023 World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.
Here is an account of the case that attracted worldwide attention:
August 20: World Cup honors
Rubiales kissed the player on the lips after receiving the gold medal at the Women’s World Cup.
In light of the controversy, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) released statements attributed to the player, describing the events as a “totally spontaneous mutual gesture of friendship and gratitude”.
August 21: Rubiales apologizes for the kiss with Hermoso
“Of course I have to apologize if there are people who felt hurt, there is no other option,” said the then president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
August 23: Jenni calls for “exemplary measures”
Hermoso called for “exemplary action” through the Professional Footballers Association (FUTPRO) and its representative body after Rubiales kissed without consent.
August 24: The Spanish government announces it will “act” and FIFA opens a disciplinary procedure
The Spanish government announced that it would “take action” if “events” did not occur regarding the situation of Rubiales at the head of the RFEF, accused of sexist views.
“On the government side, we are closely monitoring this fact, because this cannot continue. Of course, we expect events to happen, but if they do not happen, the government will act,” assured the Minister of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños.
Meanwhile, FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales. The organization reiterated its commitment to respect the integrity of individuals and stated that its actions could constitute a breach of Article 13, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
August 25: Hermoso contests Rubiales; The world champion will step down if he remains in office and supports Liga MX Femenil Jenni
The world champion with the Spanish team denied Luis Rubiales’ version, stating in a statement that “at no time” had he consented to the kiss he received on the mouth.
In turn, the 23 women’s world champions announced in a statement from their FutPro federation that they will no longer participate in the national team’s conference calls while Rubiales remains in office.
Agora é Liga MX Feminina offered its support to the Tuzas del Pachuca player in a statement.
Regarding the situation in which Spanish player and world champion Jennifer Hermoso of Club Pachuca finds himself, Liga MX Femenil is offering all kinds of support to ensure that the player is immediately supported.
August 28: Luis Rubiales’ mother locks herself in church and goes on hunger strike. The Public Prosecution Service opens an investigation into the kiss and offers to denounce Hermoso.
Ángeles Béjar, mother of Luis Rubiales, locked herself in the church of the Divina Pastora in Motril (Granada, Andalusia) and declared a hunger strike pending a solution to the “inhuman and bloody hunt they are conducting against my son”. If he is found, he doesn’t deserve it.
On the same day, the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Spanish National Court opened an “investigative procedure” following the complaints filed against Rubiales and offered the player the opportunity to report him for the crime of sexual assault.
September 6: Hermoso charges Rubiales with the Public Prosecution Service
The Spanish football star has filed a lawsuit with the Public Prosecution Service.
September 10: Rubiales resigns as president of the RFEF
Rubiales resigned by letter after a 90-day suspension imposed by FIFA’s disciplinary committee.
October 2: Selected Spanish women testify in court
Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes and Misa Rodríguez confirmed before judge Francisco de Jorge the pressure that Rubiales and his entourage put on their partner to publicly justify the kiss.
The three internationals each testified for about an hour before National Court judge Francisco de Jorge.
October 30: FIFA bans Luis Rubiales for three years
FIFA’s disciplinary committee has suspended Luis Rubiales for three years from all football-related activities at national and international level for violating Article 13 of the Organization Code.
Rubiales was initially suspended for 90 days.
December 6: FIFA confirms three-year ban for Luis Rubiales
Following Rubiales’ appeal, FIFA confirmed the former RFEF president’s three-year ban from any football activity.
In a press release, world football’s governing body said:
He is prohibited from participating in football-related activities for a period of three years because he has behaved in a manner contrary to the principles set out in Article 13 of the Disciplinary Code.
December 13: Rubiales repeats that Hermoso is “lying” and that it was all “revenge.”
In an interview, Rubiales explained that Jenni “lied” about the non-consensual kiss after the 2023 World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand. He also assured that the Spanish international players took advantage of what happened to help both him and the former ‘Roja’ coach, Jorge Vilda.
The former manager spoke of “blackmail of certain footballers”.
On what happened with the kiss he gave Jenni 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”. nature” and that it was “consensual”.
It’s a kiss like I would have given my daughter or the lottery winner the day I won the lottery, and there was also trust.
Source: La Neta Neta
I’m George Gonzalez, a professional journalist and author at The Nation View. With more than 5 years of experience in the field, I specialize in covering sports news for various print media outlets. My passion for writing has enabled me to craft stories that capture the attention of readers all over the world.
