Spanish Football Federation Demands President Rubiales' Resignation Over Controversial Player Kiss"

Top officials of the Spanish football federation have asked suspended president Luis Rubiales to resign after kissing a player on the lips at the Women's World Cup final. The leaders of the regional bodies within the federation (RFEF) have come together to express their concerns in a joint statement. In light of recent developments and behavior that has, regrettably, tarnished the reputation of Spanish football, the presidents are earnestly requesting that Luis Rubiales step down from his position as the president of the RFEF without delay.the statement said.

President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales. File. | Photo Credit: Reuters

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The chiefs also urged interim president Pedro Rocha to immediately withdraw the federation's request to suspend UEFA from international competitions on Monday because of government interference in demands for Rubiales' ouster.

That move was widely seen as an attempt to silence some of Rubiales' critics, including government ministers, who demanded his removal, as such a suspension would bar Spanish teams from competitions such as the Champions League. will be banned and public opinion may be in favor of allowing them. keep his job.

Football's governing bodies have long had rules preventing national governments from interfering in the running of domestic football associations. However, UEFA will not comply with the Spanish federation's request for sanction, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Monday."The individual preferred not to be named since the decision-making process was meant to be kept confidential.

Rubiales has faced criticism from around the world for her behavior in the Women's World Cup final, including kissing Spain player Jenny Hermoso on the lips during the on-field trophy ceremony without her consent. He was suspended from his post on Saturday by football's governing body FIFA, which is investigating his conduct. His mother began a hunger strike on Monday at a church in southern Spain in defense of her son, demanding an end to Rubiales' "bloody and inhuman torture".

The unprecedented request by the Spanish federation seeking a suspension resembles a leverage game against its critics by trying to persuade fans and powerful clubs such as Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as the men's national team, to support Rubiales' efforts to save his job. It seemed Rubiales is also the Vice President of UEFA.

Spain's top clubs are due to take part in a Champions League group-stage draw being made by UEFA on Thursday, and the men's national team has games on September 8 and 12 in qualifying for the 2024 European Championship.

FIFA opened a disciplinary case against Rubiales on Thursday after taking control of the process as it organized the Women's World Cup. Rubiales' behavior during and after Spain's 1–0 victory over England in the final on 20 August in Sydney, Australia, has focused intense scrutiny of him and his five-year management of the federation.

However, FIFA did not enforce its version of the rules against government interference to protect Rubiales.

In a letter reportedly sent on Friday, the Spanish federation urged UEFA to act, the same day its embattled president refused to resign in an emergency meeting. FIFA's suspension prevents Rubiales from attending to official business and liaising with other officials, including Spain's bid to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal, Morocco and possibly Ukraine.

"FIFA's disciplinary judge, Jorge Palacio, has also ruled that Rubiales and the federation should refrain from reaching out to Hermoso.He has said that the federation pressured him to publicly support Rubiales. Spain's players, who were recently crowned world champions, have tried not to let a national scandal distract attention from their victory, but they have said they will not play another game while Rubiales is in charge.