FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Spanish football association (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales following incidents at the Women’s World Cup final.
Rubiales has drawn widespread criticism for his actions after Spain beat England on Sunday, with the official kissing striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the presentation ceremony and grabbing his crotch in celebration shortly after the final whistle.
The president later apologised in a video message, but has faced calls to resign from several high-profile individuals in Spanish sport and society.
The global players’ union FIFPRO released a statement on Wednesday calling for immediate action to be taken, saying: “it is deeply lamentable that such a special moment … should be stained by the inappropriate conduct of an individual in a role carrying so much responsibility”.
Spain’s High Council for Sports (CSD) has already received complaints about Rubiales and the RFEF has convened an emergency meeting for Friday, but world football’s governing body has now intervened.
A FIFA statement on Thursday read: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee informed Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Association, today that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred…
 president Luis Rubiales following incidents at the Women’s World Cup final. Rubiales has drawn widespread criticism for his actions after Spain beat England on Sunday, with the official kissing striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the presentation ceremony and grabbing his crotch in celebration shortly after the final whistle. The president later apologised in a video message, but has faced calls to resign from several high-profile individuals in Spanish sport and society. The global players’...){kind=link}