Luis Rubiales kiss should never have happened: FIFA chief Gianni Infantino
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that Luis Rubiales’ kiss on the mouth of Spanish women’s football star Jenni Hermoso “should never have happened”. In his first reaction to the incident which happened at the presentation ceremony following Spain’s win over England in the Women’s World Cup final, Infantino said the behaviour of Spanish federation boss Rubiales had “spoiled” the occasion.
“The well-deserved celebrations for these magnificent champions were spoiled by what happened after the final whistle,” Infantino wrote on Instagram. FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales on August 24 — four days after the final in Sydney — and then provisionally suspended him from all football activities at national and international level for 90 days, while the investigation continues.
“FIFA’s disciplinary bodies immediately assumed their responsibility and took the necessary actions. The disciplinary proceedings will continue their legitimate course,” added Infantino who was at the trophy presentation after the final.
“On our side, we should continue to focus on how to further support women and women’s football in future, both on and off the pitch. Upholding true values and respecting the players as persons as well as for their fantastic performances. Meanwhile, Spain’s controversial Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda is set to be forced out as the scandal engulfs the Spanish football federation.
Over 80 national team players are striking in protest until the leadership of the federation (RFEF) is changed, in the wake of Rubiales’ forcible kiss on the lips of midfielder Hermoso.
Vilda, who last week applauded a speech in which Rubiales refused to resign from his position and railed against “false feminism”, later criticised Rubiales’ “inappropriate and unacceptable” behaviour. While the majority of Spain’s coaching staff offered to step down in the wake of the Rubiales incident, Vilda did not, after Rubiales publicly announced the coach was in line for a new contract with a big pay hike.
Source: eNCA
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