The ‘kiss scandal’ involving the President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales and Spanish women’s national soccer team player, Jennifer Hermoso, is taking a wild turn that could affect teams like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
Reports from Onda Cero claim that Andreu Camps, Secretary General of the RFEF asked UEFA to suspend the RFEF in response to the intervention by the Spanish government in the scandal.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: The Spanish FA have threatened to leave UEFA if Luis Rubiales is removed as the president.
This may have a big impact and lead to the removal of ALL Spanish teams from European competitions.
(Source: @OndaCero_es) pic.twitter.com/3tZ1Dx9x5K
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 28, 2023
In addition to the ‘kiss scandal’ Rubiales was even spotted touching his crotch area while celebrating alongside Queen Letizia. The RFEF President refused to resign from his position after his disrespectful acts. A few days ago, the Spanish government started legal proceedings in order to suspend Rubiales. Many ministers including Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz spoke up against Rubiales.
However, this did not go down well with Camps who is one of the many supporters of Rubiales. A translation of a statement made by an anonymous Spanish politician to Onda Cero reads, “The only intention of Camps is to get UEFA to threaten the Spanish Government with the suspension of the RFEF and the consequent exclusion from all European competitions.”
🚨FIFA statement: “FIFA Disciplinary Committee … has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level. This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days.” pic.twitter.com/MF6m2GdBql
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) August 26, 2023
If UEFA suspends the RFEF, La Liga clubs and the Spanish national team will not be able to take part in UEFA competitions. FIFA has already suspended Rubiales and Pedro Rocha Junto was appointed as the interim President of the RFEF. However, Rubiales still holds vice-presidency at UEFA. The European governing body has not made any official statements yet.
Luis Rubiales’ mother goes on a hunger strike over kiss scandal
Rubiales’ mother, Angeles Bejar has locked herself in Divina Pastora church in Motril on the southern Spanish coast, according to BBC. She has informed that she is on a hunger strike ‘indefinitely’.
Bejar told EFE that the “inhuman and bloody hunt that they are doing with my son is something he does not deserve.”
Luis Rubiales’ mother has locked herself in a church in Motril and is on a hunger strike over the ‘unhuman hunt’ against her son.
Her strike will be ‘indefinite, day and night,’ per @EFEnoticias pic.twitter.com/313v4B3E2B
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 28, 2023
Vanessa Ruiz, Rubiales’ cousin, acted as a spokesperson for the family and said: “We are suffering a lot for him. He has been judged before his time.
“They [media] don’t stop harassing us. We had to leave our house. We want them to leave us alone and for Jenni to tell the truth. It’s not fair.”
The Spanish government’s request to suspend Rubiales was received by Spain’s Sports Tribunal. It was announced that discussions on the matter will take place during a meeting on Monday.