Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales will reportedly resign on Friday

Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales will resign after FIFA opened a disciplinary case against him on Thursday for kissing a player jenny pretty On the lips while celebrating the victory of the team women’s world cup Last, according to a report in ESPN.

Rubiales, who led the Spanish players’ union for eight years before taking over as the federation’s president in 2018, is currently leading a UEFA-backed bid to host the men’s. world Cup In 2030. Spain is bidding along with neighbors Portugal and Morocco and possibly Ukraine.

The governing body’s disciplinary action if Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish football federation, has breached its code relating to “basic rules of civilized conduct” and “behaved in a way that brings discredit to the sport of football and/or FIFA”. The committee will consider it.

Rubiales then kissed Hermoso on the lips during the trophy and medal ceremony on Sunday. spain1-0 win england in Sydney, Australia.

Minutes earlier, Rubiales grabbed his crotch with Spain’s Queen Letizia and 16-year-old Princess Sofia as a sign of victory in a special section of seats.

Hermoso has said he did not like the kiss and the national players’ union representing him – once led by the 46-year-old Rubiales – called on Wednesday for his conduct not to be condoned.

FIFA responded on Thursday.

“FIFA reiterates its unwavering commitment to respect the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behavior to the contrary,” the football body said without elaborating.

Spain’s sports secretary Victor Francos said on Wednesday that “the gesture of holding his testicles to the tribune is a gesture that no one can defend.”

FIFA gave no timetable for a decision. The body’s disciplinary judges can impose sanctions on individuals ranging from warnings and fines to suspension from the game.

The FIFA Disciplinary Panel is chaired by Colombian lawyer Jorge Palacio, a former Labor Court judge and member of the State Constitutional Court.

The matter will likely be decided by three of the 16 panel members. Three of the 16 women are from England, Mexico and Thailand.

Rubiales is UEFA’s vice-president, a position that pays 250,000 euros ($270,000) and expenses a year, and was the European football body’s most senior representative in women’s football’s biggest sport.

UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferin has yet to comment on Rubiales’ conduct, which is due to host the European football body’s next annual congress in Madrid in February.

The Spanish football federation, which Rubiales has led for five years, held an emergency meeting in Madrid on Friday to allow questions on the controversy to be on the agenda.

It is unclear whether the meeting will drum up support for Rubiales or respond to widespread pressure from the Spanish government and football authorities to remove him.

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Francois said Rubiales has damaged the country’s image as it tries to garner support for hosting the World Cup.

FIFA delayed the launch of the 2030 bidding competition in June but is targeting the end of next year for a decision.

The Spain-led bid currently favors a four-nation South American plan comprising Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and the inaugural 1930 World Cup hosts Uruguay. The 2034 edition is seen as a more likely target for the oil-rich kingdom, despite speculation about a possible bid from Saudi Arabia.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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