UEFA Slammed For Their Silence On Spain’s Luis Rubiales

UEFA, the governing body of European football, has been chastised by Ian Wright, Ada Hegerberved sson, and Casey Stoney for standing mute on the Luis Rubiales kissing incident.

FIFA provisionally suspended the disgraced president of the Spanish Football Federation over the weekend after he refused to step down for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory.

Rubiales is a UEFA vice-president who earns roughly £214,000 each year. His status will be reviewed at another emergency meeting of the Spanish FA on Monday.

He has the option of remaining on UEFA’s executive committee until 2027.

The Spanish football head also chairs UEFA’s Club Licensing Committee and is a member of the Marketing Advisory Committee.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin did not attend the World Cup final between Spain and England in Sydney, and the body has yet to issue an official statement.

However, Thierry Favre, UEFA’s deputy director of national associations, was present at the Rubiales press conference on Friday.

Read Also: Spain’s Prime Minister Demands Explanation For Rubiales Kiss

This drew criticism over the weekend from former England and Arsenal striker Wright, who tweeted in response to FIFA’s suspension of Rubiales: “Good. But still silence from UEFA. No comment on the behaviour of their Vice President.

“Same UEFA whose president did not attend the Women’s World Cup final where both teams represented the region.

“These are the same people in charge of leading the future of women’s football. They don’t give a s***!”

Prominent Norwegian footballer Ada Hegerberg said: “This is the @UEFA Vice-President, re-elected in the executive committee earlier this year, dropping that horrendous speech.

“If you don’t see the issue, you are part of it. My thoughts are with the players who should be celebrating, and with the ones who decided to stay home. Enough.”

Lionesses legend Stoney tweeted: “MISSING: Has anyone seen or heard from @UEFA? The players and our sport deserve better. Do the right thing!!

“You have a unique opportunity to stand up and show the world your values. WHAT ARE THEY?”

Rubiales refused to resign as president of the Spanish Football Association at a stunning press conference on Friday, blaming ‘false feminism’ for the ‘social murder’ of his reputation.

Rubiales provoked uproar after kissing Hermoso on the lips as she came forward to accept her medal after Spain’s 1-0 victory.

Rubiales was also seen on camera touching his crotch while standing close to Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter Princess Infanta Sofia, for which he apologized.

The Spanish football federation has threatened Hermoso with legal action after she stated that she did not consent to the kiss and challenged Rubiales’ account of events.

Rubiales alleged that Hermoso ‘lifted me up’ amid the celebrations and agreed to “a little kiss”. “The kiss was the same I could give one of my daughters,” Rubiales added.

FIFA has temporarily barred him from “all football-related activities at the national and international levels,” and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the 46-year-old.

81 Spanish players, including all 23 who competed in the Women’s World Cup, have stated that they will not represent their country unless Rubiales is fired.