UEFA rejects Spanish FA request to be expelled over Luis Rubiales controversy

UEFA has rejected an attempt by the Spanish FA (RFEF) to have all its teams expelled from continental competition over the Women’s World Cup kiss saga involving the FA’s President, Luis Rubiales and Jennifer Hermoso.

Rubiales kissed star attacker Jennifer Hermoso on the lips after the victory over England, which the player has since confirmed was most definitely not consensual, despite his claims. Rubiales had also grabbed his crotch during celebrations in the vicinity of Spain’s queen.

Hermoso has commanded an army of support, including the protest resignation of the national team’s entire backroom staff, having called out Rubiales for his claims about the kiss that she said were “categorically false and part of the manipulative culture that he himself has generated”.

Amid the controversy trailing the incident, the Spanish FA wrote UEFA, claiming that the country’s government’s attempts to get Luis Rubiales suspended over his action at the World Cup were in breach of rules on outside interference.

The request to get expelled has been rejected the European football governing body. Spanish clubs and the Spanish national team would have been excluded from European competition had UEFA decided to take action.

That would have meant Barcelona not being able to defend their Women’s Champions League title, as well as Real Madrid and Levante being kicked out of the qualifying rounds. Five clubs; Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Real Sociedad, and Atletico Madrid would have been expelled from the men’s competition, with Villarreal and Real Betis not allowed to compete in the Europa League and Osasuna removed from the Europa Conference League.

Spain’s government had earlier launched action against the federation President after he shouted three times “I will not resign” at a meeting to discuss his unsolicited kiss on Jennifer Hermoso.

On Monday, the Spanish Prosecutor’s Office initiated proceedings against Rubiales for possible sexual assault on Hermoso, whom he kissed on the lips in celebration of their final victory over England two weeks’ ago.

Hermoso has been given 15 days by the National Court Prosecutor’s Office to contact them as an alleged victim of sexual assault, which could result in criminal proceedings being brought against the RFEF president.