On Friday afternoon, the Higher Sports Council (CSD) formulated “a reasoned request” to the Sports Administrative Court (TAD) for a possible violation of the Sports Law and the Royal Decree on Sports Discipline by the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales. They consider that the head of Spanish football carried out a series of “very serious” offenses by kissing Jenni Hermoso without consent at the women’s World Cup. A series of offenses that allow a precautionary suspension of his charges.
“It is a complaint analyzed, studied and in which we believe that there are weighty arguments for opening a file. The TAD will meet on Monday”, announced the president of the CSD, Víctor Francos, at the start of the Vuelta from Barcelona. The CSD considers that with his actions, Rubiales has been able to violate articles 76.1.a of the Sports Law and 14.h of Royal Decree 1591/1992, which refer, respectively, to abuses of authority and notorious and public acts. that violate sporting dignity or decorum.
The TAD, a body made up of seven law graduates, is the only one with reviewing powers of federative activity that is also in charge of processing and resolving disciplinary proceedings at the request of the president of the CSD or its Sports Commission. If he decides, as everything indicates, to open a disciplinary file against Rubiales, the CSD may provisionally dismiss him from his posts until the TAD issues a sentence.
The Government’s request, announced, studied and considered, occurred hours before FIFA, through its Disciplinary Committee, announced this Saturday “the provisional suspension” of the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, “of all soccer-related activities at a national and international level”, also prohibiting him from contacting Jenni Hermoso or her entourage.
The CSD was satisfied with FIFA’s decision. “It is confirmed that our position coincides with the highest levels of international football. We believe that FIFA has reaffirmed and reinforced the path begun by the Government of Spain. In other words, FIFA shares with us that the facts must be analyzed and investigated. Hence the temporary suspension of Rubiales,” said Francos.
Both paths, that of FIFA and that of the Government, will follow their respective processes. As Francos recalled, “FIFA is a private entity. That is why the Government’s road map is not disrupted. The deadlines are as follows. If the TAD opens a disciplinary file for Rubiales when it meets on Monday, the CSD may provisionally dismiss him in a verdict that will come out of a summit of its Board of Directors scheduled for next Wednesday. This commission is made up of 14 people. 13 of them with voice and vote and a secretary.
Finally, Francos also announced “the sending of an urgent letter to the RFEF asking what situation the entity’s management is in. I will also contact FIFA so that these events do not affect Spain’s candidacy for the 2030 World Cup”. Asked about the constant exchange of statements in which the RFEF denies what happened with Jenni Hermoso, Francos sent Rubiales one last message. “When someone insistently says that everyone is moving against the direction, perhaps they should reflect and see that it is he who is going wrong.”
