KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS World football federation FIFA has launched disciplinary action against Spanish federation Jose Luis Rubiales for his full-on kiss of Jenni Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup Final on Sunday.

Hermoso and the world players’ association FIFPRO had already called for the RFEF to take action against Rubiales for kissing Hermoso on the mouth without her consent in the presentation ceremony after Spain’s victory over England.

The row marred Spain’s celebrations and though Rubiales eventually offered a grudging apology unxder sport and political pressure he has refused.

Hermoso rejected the chance to appear in his apology video despite him saying: “My position is at stake, do it for my daughters.”

The midfielder, who plays for CF Pachuca in Mexico, admitted she “didn’t like” it when Rubiales grabbed her and held her in a tight embrace before kissing her on the lips on the podium.

A FIFA statement said:

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee informed Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Association, today that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on 20 August 2023. 

The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will only provide further information on these disciplinary proceedings once it has issued a final decision on the matter.

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