FIFA president Gianni Infantino finally issued a statement Thursday condemning Royal Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales 11 days after he forcibly kissed Jennifer Hermoso during the trophy presentation at the Women’s World Cup final.
“The well-deserved celebrations for these magnificent champions were spoiled by what happened after the final whistle. And what continued to happen in the following days,” Infantino wrote on Instagram. “This should have never happened.”
Infantino also pointed towards the action FIFA has taken since the incident, which includes a 90 day suspension for Rubiales and a probe by its disciplinary committee that he said will “continue their legitimate course.” He then said FIFA’s focus should be on “how to further support women and women’s football, both on and off the pitch.”
The delayed response comes a day after UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin’s belated criticism of Rubiales, who also serves as a UEFA vice…
