Rubiales could face further suspension after kiss as sports court meet

In this handout image released by the Spanish Royal Football Federation (RFEF) on August 25, 2023, RFEF President Luis Rubiales delivers a speech during an extraordinary general assembly of the federation on August 25, 2023 in Las Rozas de Madrid. (Photo by Eidan RUBIO / RFEF / AFP)

Suspended Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales could face further domestic sanctions as the country’s top sports court meets Monday to examine complaints against him for forcibly kissing Women’s World Cup star Jenni Hermoso.

World football governing body FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales for 90 days on Saturday but the 46-year-old could face a longer suspension from the Spanish government, if the sports court opens proceedings against Rubiales for “very serious” offences or an “abuse of authority”.

Spain’s top sports court (TAD) began meeting online from 1100 GMT.

The Spanish government has said it will take action against Rubiales if the sports court gives them the go-ahead.

“If the court upholds the complaint and begins to process that case, we can request the provisional suspension of the president of the RFEF (the football federation) until TAD finishes analysing it and takes their decision,” Sports Minister Miquel Iceta said on Friday.

Spain midfielder Hermoso says Rubiales’ kiss before Spain lifted the World Cup trophy in Sydney was not consensual, despite his claims to the contrary, and 81 players went on strike from the women’s side in protest after the federation chief refused to resign.

In a powerful statement on Friday, Hermoso said: “I felt vulnerable and a victim of an assault, an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part.”

As many as 11 members of women’s football staff in the Spanish football