FIFA extends disciplinary case against an official who kissed a player at the World Cup

August 28, 2023: FIFA extends disciplinary case against Spanish official who kissed player at World Cup after the country’s Women’s World Cup victory on Sunday.

In a statement, FIFA repeated “its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemned any behavior to the contrary.”

Rubiales, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), kissed the forward on the lips during the medal ceremony following the team’s 1-0 win against England in Sydney.

Hermoso initially displayed on social media she “didn’t like” the kiss, but a statement on her behalf was later released by the RFEF in which she described it as “spontaneous.”

Rubiales initially called his critics “idiots,” issued an apology on Monday but still faces calls to resign, with Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez describing the apology as “insufficient.”

Hermoso said in a joint statement on Wednesday released by her union and her agency, “My union FUTPRO, in coordination with my agency TMJ, are defending my interests and being the interlocutors on this matter.

“We are working to ensure that acts such as those we have seen never go unpunished, that they are sanctioned, and that the exemplary measures are adopted to protect ladies footballers from actions that we believe are unacceptable.”

FIFPRO later supported Hermoso and requested FIFA open an investigation into Rubiales.

“We reiterate that it was deeply lamentable that such a special moment for the players of the Spain national team taking place before a global television audience should be stained by the inappropriate conduct of an individual in a role carrying so much responsibility,” the union’s statement read.

“Uninitiated and uninvited physical approaches towards players are not appropriate or acceptable in any context, especially when they are put in a position of vulnerability by a person who holds a position of power over them in their workplace.”

FUTPRO will meet following Monday with Spain’s second deputy leader, Yolanda Diaz, to ensure the actions of Rubiales are “duly sanctioned.”