CNN
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The Spanish government has suffered a setback in its attempts to dismiss the embattled head of the Football Association Luis Rubiales From his post because of the unwanted kiss he gave to Spanish star Jennifer Hermoso.
Spain’s Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAD) agreed on Friday to open a case against Rubiales but rejected the government’s argument that his wrongdoing was “very serious”, preventing his immediate suspension and forcing ministers to ask the court to do so instead.
Culture and Sports Minister Mikel Eseta told a news conference on Friday that he would file a separate complaint with TAD and request that Rubiales be removed from office until the investigation is resolved.
The development comes as pressure continues to be on Rubiales since he gave an unwanted kiss to Hermoso after Spain won the Women’s World Cup on August 20.
Rubiales was suspended by FIFA, the world governing body for football, from all football-related activities for 90 days on Saturday, though he could eventually face a ban by the government’s Supreme Council for Sport (CSD).
A government statement released on Tuesday said Rubiales showed “unacceptable behavior” at the World Cup final and described his actions as “extremely serious” breaches of the country’s sporting law, something TAD has now rejected.
Rubialis On Friday, he expressed regret over his actions, but also criticized the “fabricated campaign” against him, insisting he had been treated unfairly.
He added, “On August 20, I made some obvious mistakes, which I deeply regret with all my heart. It is true that I asked forgiveness for such mistakes.”
“I have learned that no matter how great the joy and the depth of emotion, even when winning a World Cup, sports leaders should be required to show exemplary behaviour, and that was not the case for me,” he said, adding that he apologizes to the players. Federation, fans and anyone who may feel offended by his actions.
Rubiales previously admitted he made a mistake while kissing Hermoso, but said the act was consensual, a claim Hermoso completely rejected.
In a statement last Friday, the footballer said she had never consented to a kiss, writing on social media: “I felt vulnerable and the victim of impulsive, sexist and inappropriate behavior without any of my consent.” part.”
Hermoso also said that the RFEF president’s explanation of the incident was “categorically” false, adding: “I want to repeat, as I did before, that I did not like this incident.”
Pressure has been mounting on Rubiales to step down as president of the Spanish Football Federation after he dramatically refused to do so during a speech to the federation’s Extraordinary General Assembly last Friday, pledging to “fight to the end”.
Earlier this week, all 19 RFEF regional presidents called on Rubiales to resign, while also giving unanimous support to interim president Pedro Rocha, who took office after Rubiales was suspended by FIFA.
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