FIFA Suspends Spanish Soccer Chief Rubiales, Casting Doubt on 2030 World Cup Bid

"We have decided today (Saturday) to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at the national and international level" for a period of at least ninety days, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) said in a statement.

While Jennifer Hermoso has stated in a statement published on her social networks that she is "a victim of an aggression, an impulsive and sexist act, inappropriate and without any consent on my part," the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has for its part rejected these accusations against its president, describing them as "lies". "The RFEF and the president [Rubiales] will prove every lie published by anyone on behalf of the player, or, if that is the case, by the player herself," the body said in a statement released from Friday to Saturday.

The player has the support of her teammates. In a statement published by the Futpro union, they have threatened that they will not return to the national team if the current management team is maintained. For his part, Victor Francos, the president of the Higher Sports Council (CSD), indicated that he would bring the case before the Spanish justice system if the RFEF did not do so. The Spanish public prosecutor’s office would have already received four complaints against Rubiales, but they could be declared inadmissible if they do not come from the victims.

Rubiales had described his critics as "idiots" before apologizing a few hours later, assuring that his act was "without any bad intention". "If people have been hurt, I have to apologize, there’s nothing else to do," he admitted. On Sunday, Luis Rubiales made headlines again. On images that have gone viral, he is seen grabbing his genitals after the team’s victory. The president of the RFEF has again apologized for this gesture.