Luis Rubiales suspension updates: Kiss fallout and reactions | FIFA suspension, hunger strike…

What next for Luis Rubiales?

The sprawling scandal that has played out since the Women's World Cup final on Saturday, 19 August continues to engulf Luis Rubiales. The RFEF president has refused to apologise for the unwanted kiss on Spain player Jenni Hermoso and said that "false feminism" was to blame for the controversy. 

However Rubiales is facing growing pressure to step down from his role as the head of the Spanish football federation. He has been suspended by FIFA pending an investigation; the head of the member assemblies of Spanish football have called for him to resign; and more than 80 female footballers have refused to play while he remains in his post. 

Amid all this, Rubiales' mother remains on hunger strike after locking herself in a church in the small Spanish town of Motril. 

It's a story that continues to make headlines all around the world. As soon as there are further developments, we'll let you know. 

RUBIALES CASE

What has Carlos Alcaraz said about the Luis Rubiales scandal?

Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz progressed past Dominik Koepfer in the 2023 US Open on Tuesday and was asked to comment on the Luis Rubiales scandal. After his victory Alcaraz spoke to ABC’s Javier Ansorena about the issue that has captivated Spain.

“In my opinion, these are attitudes that senior people should not display,” Alcaraz said, refering to the under-fire head of the RFEF. 

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More photos from the church where Rubiales' mother is on hunger strike

Local police have arrived at the church near Granada, Spain where the mother of under-fire RFEF chief Luis Rubiales has imprisoned herself. Ángeles Béjar has been in the church on hunger strike for more than two days and television cameras have descended on the sleepy town of Motril. 

RUBIALES CASE

América and Barcelona show support for Jenni Hermoso

Members of the América and FC Barcelona women's teams sent a message of solidarity to Spanish player Jennifer Hermoso. After winning the World Cup with Spain, Hermoso was hugged and kissed by Luis Rubiales, the RFEF chief who has come under increasing pressure to resign. 

Prior to kick-off in Mexico City players and supporters voiced their support for the Spain player. 

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Spanish culture under the microscope after Rubiales' behaviour

The fallout from Luis Rubiales' actions at the Women's World Cup final continues to make global headlines. In Spain, the issue has sparked a fresh debate on the influence of the patriarchy and existence of sexist behaviours in Spanish society. 

This footage, shared on social media, shows a 2006 exchange between politician José María Aznar and journalist Marta Nebot. Instead of answering her question, Aznar puts his pen down her shirt and turns away. 

"He stuck a pen down my cleavage," a visible shocked Nebot says. 

In Jenni Hermoso's statement on Rubiales, she said: "I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part."

Can Luis Rubiales be removed as RFEF chief?

The status of RFEF president Luis Rubiales has become increasingly precarious in recent days, with pressure growing on the Spanish football boss to resign. He insists that he has done nothing wrong and maintains that he will not resign. 

So what can happen now? Spanish soccer expert Guillem Balague outlines one possible outcome, which could see Rubiales removed from the role if all members of the federation's board issue a vote of no confidence. 

However, this would require a unanimous vote amongst the board, some of whom were put in place by Rubiales. In short, they are unlikely to vote to remove their boss. 

RUBIALES CASE

Video emerges of Hermoso and Spanish team on bus after Rubiales kiss

One new video doing the rounds was posted by Alvise Pérez along with serious accusations about the veracity of Jenni Hermoso's account of events.

While Rubiales supporters are getting fully behind this footage as a reason to question the player and backlash against the FA president, others are dubious to how this can qualify her underlying feelings on the situation, and the act itself.

UEC call for Rubiales resignation

The Union of European Clubs (UEC), which represents 121 teams from around the continent, has issued a statement urging Luis Rubiales to stand down with immediate effect as president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF).

“The UEC therefore welcomes the suspension of Luis Rubiales from domestic and international football by Fifa as an adequate initial response and calls for his resignation. We wholeheartedly support the Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol in their long-standing efforts to create a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment and encourage them to take this opportunity to dismantle misogyny and sexism both in the governance structures and on the field.”

"I want Jenni to tell the truth"

Luis Rubiales' mother speaks to the media from the Motril church where she has decided to stage a hunger strike against the campaign she sees unfolding against her son.

"I just want Jenni to tell the truth" she pleaded to reporters who briefly interviewed the woman.

Pioneering Clapton add support

One of the oldest clubs in London and famous for their campaigning on key social issues, Clapton CFC players displayed a #ContigoHermoso banner this evening ahead of training.

Following a series of protests across Spain on Monday evening, on Tuesday it was the turn of the capital of Aragon as hundreds of people met in the city centre to protest against disgraced former FA head Luis Rubiales and at the same time show their support for Spanish player Jenni Hermoso. 

Zaragoza protests against Rubiales

Following a series of protests across Spain on Monday evening, on Tuesday it was the turn of the capital of Aragon as hundreds of people met in the city centre to protest against disgraced former FA head Luis Rubiales and at the same time show their support for Spanish player Jenni Hermoso. 

Rubiales makes the cover of The Star

The now disgraced FA chief and his mother's hunger strike were picked up on by UK's sensationalist Daily Star with the story of Rubiales and his downfall being heavily picked up by global media.

Swedish FA voices support

The Swedish Football Federation expressed their support for Jenni Hermoso via the official Twitter account with a message adding: "no form of harassment, abuse or discrimination should ever be tolerated in the world of football". 

Tebas takes a swipe at Rubiales

Head of LaLiga Javier Tebas and Luis Rubiales enjoyed a fraught relationship with constant tension between both governing bodies.

Tebas took another pop at Rubiales from his Twitter account stating that Rubiales manner of working over the years was a constant lookout for tension. 

RFEF

FIFA studying 15-year ban for Rubiales over Hermoso case

The end of Luis Rubiales’ tenure as a leader in Spanish and global football is imminent and could be effectively conclusive. While his disqualification by the TAD (Spanish Administrative Court for Sport) and his transfer to the CSD (Spanish Sports Council) are being confirmed, sports organizations are making moves to swiftly remove him from his positions.

BARCELONA FEMENÍ

Alexia Putellas interview with TUDN: “we all want respect” and “want to leave a legacy” for the next generation

FC Barcelona and World Cup-winning midfielder, Alexia Putellas, spoke to TUDN while on a pre-season tour of Mexico with her club side, in which she insisted that all players “want respect” to be able to be focussed on football.

Alexia was asked about the state of women’s football, and the question came in light of the incident in her home nation, where Spanish Football Federation President, Luis Rubiales, kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips.

“We all want there to be respect for our profession, the same way there is with the men’s game, we simply fight for that. We don’t only need the help of the players, togetherness is the first step. We want to leave a legacy, so that the next [generation] don’t have to worry about these things, because in the end it’s energy you’re using up focussing on things that aren’t really your job”

Spanish football officials demand resignation of Luis Rubiales

Rubiales complains of "false feminism" in RFEF speech

If Luis Rubiales had hoped that his speech before the general assembly of the Spanish football federation would help to smooth things over, he was wrong.

Rubiales insisted that criticism of his behaviour had come from parts of the media who are "sold to or dominated by" Javier Tebas, the head of LaLiga. He claimed that the allegations against him were the result of "false feminism" in Spanish society.

Luis de la Fuente, head coach of the men's team, was seen applauding in the crowd. 

ICYMI: Rubiales speech to the RFEF general assembly

Pressure had been growing on Luis Rubiales since the Women's World Cup final on Sunday, 20 August. Last Friday he took to the stage at a general assembly of the RFEF to put forward his case. 

In an extraordinary public appearance, Rubiales refused to accept that he had done anything wrong and claimed that he was the victim of a "social assassination."

Needless to say, that performance did nothing to turn the tide of public opinion and the RFEF boss is facing renewed calls to resign after being suspended by FIFA pending an investigation. 

RFEF

RFEF prepare documents in order to sack Spain Women’s National Team manager, Jorge Vilda

It is not only Luis Rubiales who is on shaky ground within the RFEF. Jorge Vilda led the women's team to a World Cup triumph but he is reportedly close to the sack. Vilda has long been a controversial figure in Spanish football, most notably when 15 members of his team refused to play due to concerns about their mental well-being. 

In the aftermath of the final, Vilda is once again facing criticism for his treatment of the players. 

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World Cup finalists stand with Spanish players

Sunday, 20 August should go down as a glorious date in the rich history of Spanish football. Spain defeated England in the final of the Women's World Cup to lift the trophy for the first time. However it was the actions of Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales that have cast the longest shadow. 

Speaking to the BBC, England player Ella Toone said that she sympathises with the Spanish players who have had their victory overshadowed by Rubiales's behaviour. 

Watch: Rubiales' mother remains locked in church

Ángeles Béjar, mother of under-fire RFEF chief Luis Rubiales, has locked herself in a church near Granada, Spain in protest against the criticism of her son. She has told reporters that she will not leave the church or end her ongoing hunger strike until the allegations against her son are dropped. 

Members of Rubiales' extended family have also rushed to his defence. The RFEF president remains in the role as it stands. 

Why have female Spanish players refused to play?

In another shocking development, 81 current and past players of the Spanish women's national team have outlined their refusal to play for the team unless Luis Rubiales leaves his post as president. 

The group call for "forceful responses from the public authorities" to punish Rubiales. 

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

Video: Recap of the Rubiales/Hermoso developments

The scandal surrounding RFEF president Luis Rubiales continues to cast a pall over Spain's victory in the Women's World Cup final. Despite receiving criticism from Jenni Hermoso, her Spain teammates, 81 Spanish footballers and dozens of football officials, Rubiales is insisting that he has nothing to apologise for. 

Here's a look back at a week that has flipped Spanish football on its head...

WATCH

Protestors gather in Madrid

The incident at the Women's World Cup final has spiralled into a major global news story, but it is in Spain that the fallout is being felt most keenly. Thousands of protestors have taken to the streets in opposition to Luis Rubiales. 

The RFEF president has refused to resign from the role, despite significant public pressure, and maintains that he has done nothing wrong. 

RFEF

Why is the mother of Spanish soccer president Luis Rubiales on hunger strike?

The mother of RFEF chief Luis Rubiales is still on hunger strike after locking herself in a church in the south of Spain in protest. On Tuesday Ángeles Béjar told reporters: “They are doing something to my son that he doesn’t deserve.”

She even accused Jenni Hermoso of lying about the incident, saying: “I want this girl to tell the truth.”

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Why hasn't Rubiales resigned?

FIFA have suspended Rubiales pending an investigation into his conduct at the Women’s World Cup final in Australia. Spain beat England in the final to lift the trophy for the first time, but the celebrations were marred by Rubiales’ behaviour.

Last weekend, a week after the final, 11 members of the Spain women’s team’s coaching staff resigned. Their statement cited the “unacceptable attitude” of Rubiales in the face of the criticism.

However Rubiales remains unwilling to countenance a resignation. 

Rubiales' mother on second day of hunger strike

In one of the most astonishing twists to the story so far, the mother of under-fire RFEF boss Luis Rubiales has gone on hunger strike in protest against the outcry.

Ángeles Béjar spent Monday night locked inside the Divine Pastor Church in Granada, Spain. She is refusing to come out or to leave the church until the claims against her son are withdrawn. She claims that Rubiales has been the victim of a “hunt” which she called “inhumane” and “bloodthirsty”.

Hello and welcome to AS USA, I’m Will Gittins.

We’ll be bringing you all the reaction as the pressure increases on Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales to resign. The RFEF head has been accused of making unwanted physical contact by Jenni Hermoso, a female player for the Spanish national team who Rubiales kissed and hugged in celebration after winning the World Cup final.

FIFA have suspended him, key figures in world football want him to resign, but Rubiales is clinging on