FIFA Rules of Football and its Disciplinary Code Violations: A Statement from FIFA’s General Head of State Luis Rubiales

FIFA says the events involving Rubiales may constitute violations to its Disciplinary Code, pointing to paragraphs that address offensive behavior and the obligation to comply with FIFA’s rules and principles of fair play. It says a person may be subject to discipline for, among other things, violating the basic rules of decent conduct; using offensive gestures, signs or language; or behaving in a way that brings the sport of soccer and/or FIFA into disrepute.

In a statement Thursday, soccer’s global governing body stated simply that “events that occurred during the final” on Sunday may constitute violations by Rubiales to FIFA’s Disciplinary Code.

In a livestream from the locker room following the match, Hermoso said of Rubiales’ kiss: “I didn’t like it.” She is shown a video of the kiss as she asks, “what do I do?” Look at me. RFEF said that it came from Hermoso, but a Spanish news site said that she did not write or say the statement.

Friday was supposed to be the moment Luis Rubiales resigned as the head of Spain’s soccer federation. The members of the national women’s soccer team pledged not to play as long as Rubiales remained in power.

An emergency meeting has been called, and the federation noted that there are integrity issues involved in its internal proceedings.

FIFA First Lady Cristina Futpro has spoken out against racism, sexism and sexual harassment in Spain’s women’s soccer

Her union Futpro, along with her agency tmj, will be taking responsibility of defending my interests and being the contacts on this matter.

Our association requests the Royal Spanish Football Federation to adopt exemplary measures, ensure players’ rights and implement necessary protocols. The statement said that the team needs to be represented by people who show values of equality and respect in all areas.

Futpro said that they wanted the Higher Sports Council to support and promote prevention in the face of sexual harassment or abuse, machismo and sexism.

The federation released a statement that it attributed to her after she had expressed her opinion just after the game.

On Tuesday, Spain’s acting prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, rebuked Rubiales: “It was an unacceptable gesture and Mr. Rubiales’ apologies are not enough.”

Many of the top national team players who likely would have been on the 2023 Women’s World Cup squad had already refused to play for Spain’s coach, Jorge Vilda, who was booed after the team’s win.

The vice president of Spain’s soccer program and two others resigned but the president held on, the Associated Press reports.

Spain’s World Cup squad and more than 50 other players said in a statement that they refuse to play again for the national team unless the current leaders are removed.