Summary

  • Prosecutors say they have launched a sexual assault investigation into Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales

  • It comes as the federation, RFEF, is holding an "extraordinary and urgent" meeting to discuss the crisis

  • Its chief, Rubiales, has been suspended for three months by the sport's global governing body, Fifa

  • Rubiales sparked a huge row when he kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women’s World Cup earlier this month

  • He has resisted pressure to step down, and has insisted the kiss was consensual - something denied by Hermoso

  • His mother has gone on a hunger strike because of what she told Spanish media was an "inhuman hunt" against her son

Live Reporting

Edited by Heather Sharp

  1. How much power does Rubiales still wield?

    Guy Hedgecoe
    Reporting from Madrid

    We’re expecting this afternoon’s meeting to specifically address this crisis surrounding Rubiales, and his now-infamous kiss.

    It will tell us how much power he still has within the Spanish football federation (RFEF), given that he’s been suspended by the world governing body, Fifa.

    Another member of the federation, Pedro Rocha, has stepped in as caretaker president.

    There’s a tremendous amount of pressure on him - and on other members of the federation - to change their position, to distance themselves from Rubiales, and to stop defending his behaviour at the World Cup.

    So we should find out what the position will be of this federation - without Luis Rubiales there to take charge of it.

  2. Who is Luis Rubiales?

    Luis Rubiales clapping during Spain’s victory in the World Cup finalMarc Atkins/Getty Images

    Luis Rubiales, 46, had moderate success in his playing career as a defender, predominantly playing in Spain’s lower leagues and eventually finishing in Scotland.

    After retiring, Rubiales got a law degree and later became the Association of Spanish Footballers president in 2010.

    His time there was relatively controversy free, and eight years later he became the boss of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

    He made headlines just weeks later after he sacked Spain’s manager Julen Lopetegui just two days before their men's World Cup opener, after discovering he had agreed to coach Real Madrid after the tournament.

    Most recently, in September 2022, Rubiales has continued to back divisive women’s coach Jorge Vilda, in a dispute that has never really ended.

    The RFEF said 15 players sent emails saying they would not play for Vilda unless "significant" concerns over their "emotional state" and "health" were addressed - Rubiales stood by the coach.

    Read more about Rubiales here.

  3. Rubiales' mother on hunger strike in support of her son

    The mother of Luis Rubiales has gone on a hunger strike because of the "inhuman and bloody hunt" against her son, which she says is "something he does not deserve".

    Ángeles Béjar has reportedly locked herself in a church in Motril.

    She told Spanish news agency EFE the strike would continue "indefinite, day and night".

    Media have gathered outside the Divina Pastora church in the town in which Rubiales was raised, on the southern Spanish coast.

    Read more here

  4. The story so far - in 100 words

    Jenni Hermoso being kissed by Luis RubialesGetty Images

    Jenni Hermoso - who was wearing teammate Alexia Putellas’ number 11 shirt during the World Cup medal ceremony - was kissed by on stage Luis Rubiales

    Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips at the World Cup final medal ceremony on 20 August.

    He said it was consensual, but Hermoso denies this.

    On Friday, Rubiales refused to resign despite fierce criticism by other footballers, the media and Spain’s prime minister.

    All 23 players from the World Cup-winning team said they wouldn’t play again under Rubiales, and the entire coaching staff quit - except manager Jorge Vilda.

    On Saturday, the RFEF backed Rubiales, threatening legal action against Hermoso.

    World governing body Fifa then suspended Rubiales for 90 days.

  5. Spanish FA to hold emergency meeting over Rubiales kiss row

    James FitzGerald
    Live reporter

    Thanks for joining us. The Spanish football association (RFEF) will hold an "extraordinary and urgent" meeting at 16:00 local time (15:00 BST) after its chief was suspended for three months by the sport's global governing body, Fifa.

    Luis Rubiales sparked a row when he kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women’s World Cup earlier this month.

    He insists it was consensual; Hermoso denies that.

    Spain’s sports tribunal (Tad) is also meeting at 13:00 local time, to look at the government’s request for it to take disciplinary action against Rubiales.

    Krystyna Gajda, Ali Abbas Ahmadi and I are following the latest news.