Spanish federation to hold urgent meeting over Rubiales kiss

Spain's football federation will meet urgently on Monday as its president, Luis Rubiales, faces a FIFA suspension and a storm of criticism over allegations he gave a player an unwanted kiss on the lips following Spain's victory in the Women's World Cup.

Rubiales has steadfastly refused to resign over the incident with player Jenni Hermoso last Sunday in Sydney, saying the kiss was consensual.

Players and a string of coaches on the women's squad are demanding he go, and the government also wants him out.

The Royal Football Federation (RFEF) has called regional federations to an "extraordinary and urgent" meeting "to evaluate the situation in which the federation finds itself" following Rubiales' suspension, an RFEF spokesperson said.

FIFA, the world governing body, opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales on Thursday and announced yesterday that Rubiales was suspended for three months from national and international football pending an investigation.

Rubiales, 46, said he would use the FIFA probe to show his innocence.

Hermoso, who has said she did not consent to the kiss and felt "vulnerable and the victim of an aggression", has been warmly supported not just by players but by many in wider society.

She appeared among spectators at the Women's Cup final between Atletico Madrid and Milan yesterday evening, applauded by the crowd. Players at the match held a banner reading: "With you Jennifer Hermoso".

The uproar over the kiss has come in a country where tens of thousands of women have taken part in street marches in recent years protesting against sexual abuse and violence.

Feminist groups have called a demonstration tomorrow in Madrid entitled "With You Jenni" in support of the player.

Similar demonstrations were staged by