• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, May 28, 2025

FIFA Suspends Spanish Federation President As Scandal Escalates

  • Governing body moved to act amid quickly growing scandal
  • Rubiales’ behavior is rebuked across global soccer community
A view of the FIFA logo outside their headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
FIFA

FIFA on Saturday provisionally suspended Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish football federation, for at least 90 days following his unsolicited kiss of Jenni Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup final, marking the latest flashpoint in a quickly escalating scandal that has rocked the sport.

The governing body was moved to act after Rubiales defiantly refused to resign amid mounting pressure, calling the calls to step down a “social assassination” by “false feminists.” The Spanish national team then threatened to not take the field until Rubiales’ removal.

Rubiales and the federation are also prohibited from contacting or attempting to contact Hermoso or her inner circle. The suspension is pending disciplinary proceedings opened Thursday against Rubiales. 

“FIFA reiterates its absolute commitment to respect the integrity of all persons, and therefore condemn with the utmost vigor any behavior to the contrary,” the organization said.

The dispute represents an ugly coda to what had been a highly successful WWC event. And even after the FIFA suspension, tension continued between Hermoso and Rubiales. Hermoso has been adamant that she “felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression, an impulsive, sexist act which was out of place and with no consent on behalf.”

But the Spanish football federation responded to FIFA’s action by accusing Hermoso of changing her story. “The facts are what they are, and no matter how many statements you put out to distort reality, it is impossible to change what happened. The peck was with consent.”

At least 11 coaches and technical staff members across Spanish women’s soccer have resigned in condemnation of Rubiales.

NWSL’s Show of Support

The rising issue has also forced other soccer leaders to respond. 

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said leaders of leagues, federations, and governing bodies “must protect our players,” noting that the “actions by the Spanish federation are unconscionable.” 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NBA East Finals Delivers Strong TV Ratings, but West Is Struggling

The Knicks and Thunder are both up 3–1 in their conference finals series.
Feb 14, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of the Kansas City Royals 1985 and 2015 World Series championships on the scoreboard at Kauffman Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex.

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Public Funding Standoff Nears Endgame

Missouri legislators will review stadium bonds for the Chiefs and Royals.

WNBA Finds No Proof of Racist Comments at Sky-Fever Game

The Chicago Sky did not respond to a request for comment.

Featured Today

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
August 30, 2024

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion As Deadline Looms

Saudi Pro League teams haven’t yet matched their English counterparts.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.
John John Florence (USA) surfs in men’s round two competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach.
July 29, 2024

Olympic Surfers Won’t Get Their Full Paris Moment

‘We’re kind of separate off on our own little thing over here.’