FIFA Women's World Cup kiss controversy: Spain football chief Luis Rubiales suspended

livemint.com:

FIFA Disciplinary Committee and in order to preserve, among other factors, the fundamental rights of the national soccer team player Ms. Jennifer Hermoso and the good order of the disciplinary proceedings before this disciplinary body, has issued two additional directives (article 7 FDC) by which he orders Mr. Luis Rubiales to refrain, through himself or third parties, from contacting or attempting to contact the professional player of the Spanish national football team Ms.

Jennifer Hermoso or her close environment," FIFA statement said. “The RFEF and its officials or employees, directly or through third parties, are ordered to refrain from contacting the professional player of the Spanish national team Ms. Jennifer Hermoso and her close environment," the statement added.

The suspension of the head of Spain's football association comes after the Spanish women's team refused to play any other games while Luis Rubiales continued to head the football body. Luis Rubiales is receiving flak for his behavior during the recent FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia where is kissed Spain's football Jennifer Hermoso on the lips while celebrating the victory and also made some other obscene gestures. Luis Rubiales has offered an apology in response to an event that provoked strong public anger, resulting in demands for his departure, including from Spain's second deputy prime minister.

"Surely I was wrong, I have to admit. It was without bad faith at a time of maximum effusiveness," Reuters quoted Rubiales as saying. (With inputs from Bloomberg)