Luis Rubiales says he has faced a “media lynching” after Spain’s Administrative Sports Court (TAD) opened a case against him following his kiss on Jennifer Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup final.
In a statement released on Friday, Rubiales said his position is that the kiss with Hermoso was “consensual” and he “would continue to defend his position to tell the truth”. He also stated that he believed the TAD’s decision of not opening a “very serious” case against him was a victory in the battle to clear his own name.
Hermoso said the kiss during the medal ceremony was not consensual.
The TAD announced earlier in the day that it considered Rubiales’ actions to be of a “serious” nature, as opposed to being “very serious”. This means that the nation’s High Council for Sport (CSD) is unable to suspend the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) president from his post for the duration of the investigation.
Under a “serious” case, the maximum punishment is a two-year ban, whereas a “very serious” investigation carries a punishment of up to five years. Under the “serious” conduct filing, the CAD cannot provisionally suspend Rubiales, as that is reserved for “very serious” cases. This was confirmed by Spain’s minister of culture and sports,…
 opened a case against him following his kiss on Jennifer Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup final. In a statement released on Friday, Rubiales said his position is that the kiss with Hermoso was “consensual” and he “would continue to defend his position to tell the truth”. He also stated that he believed the TAD’s decision of not opening a “very serious” case against him was a victory in the battle to clear his own name. Hermoso said the kiss...){kind=link}