![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/download-12-696x395.png\" "\\"download\\"\/")
<\/div>\nThe Spanish secretary of sport says he \u201cwants this to be Spanish football\u2019s MeToo moment\u201d after the government started legal proceedings seeking to suspend football federation president Luis Rubiales for kissing World Cup star Jenni Hermoso on the lips.<\/p>\n
Rubiales has refused to resign\u00a0despite overwhelming pressure after the incident following Spain\u2019s Women\u2019s World Cup final win over England.<\/p>\n
Fifa opened disciplinary proceedings against the 46-year-old former player on Thursday.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Me Too movement seeks to end violence against women and shot into mainstream consciousness in 2017 after film producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of numerous sexual offences \u2013 he was subsequently found guilty and jailed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government starts today the procedure so that Mr Rubiales has to give explanations before the Sport Court and if the Sport Court agrees, I can announce that we will suspend Mr Rubiales from his functions,\u201d Victor Francos, secretary of sport and head of the state-run National Sports Council said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has to be a change. The government wants to warn, to be very clear and say that there are things that can\u2019t happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sports council cannot suspend Rubiales unless the court rules that the kiss is in violation of the professional sports code.<\/p>\n
Rubiales kissed the Spain forward during the presentation ceremony after the final in Sydney. She later said on social media \u201cI didn\u2019t like it\u201d.<\/p>\n
He apologised earlier in the week and had been expected to announce his resignation at an extraordinary general assembly called by the federation, but instead vowed to \u201cfight until the end\u201d.<\/p>\n
On Friday he said sorry for grabbing his crotch while celebrating in the VIP area in Stadium Australia, with Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter standing nearby.<\/p>\n
Spain\u2019s acting labour minister Yolanda Diaz said: \u201cWhat we have seen today in the Federation Assembly is unacceptable. The Government must act and take urgent measures. Impunity for macho actions is over. Rubiales cannot continue in office.\u201d<\/p>\n
Acting social rights minister Ione Belarra added: \u201cConsent is not decided by the aggressor, it is decided by the woman. Mr Rubiales\u2019 violent, mafia-like discourse will not work against a country that has already changed. Everyone already knows what kind of man he is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018This is unacceptable\u2019 \u2013 Spanish football reacts<\/strong><\/p>\n Spanish players, clubs and organisations have all spoken out \u2013 largely against Rubiales.<\/p>\n Alexia Putellas, a Ballon d\u2019Or winner and another member of the World Cup-winning team, said: \u201cThis is unacceptable. It is over. With you partner Jenni Hermoso.\u201d<\/p>\n Another team-mate, Aitana Bonmati, wrote: \u201cThere are limits that cannot be crossed and we cannot tolerate this. We are with you partner.\u201d<\/p>\n Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias, who has won two caps for the Spain men\u2019s team, said: \u201cAs a footballer and as a person I do not feel represented by what happened today\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI have made the decision not to return to the national team until things change and these types of acts do not go unpunished.\u201d<\/p>\n Several Spanish football clubs, including Barcelona, Sevilla, Espanyol and Racing Santander, have also released statements critical of Rubiales.<\/p>\n Hermoso played for Barcelona from 2013 to 2017 and from 2019 until last year when she joined Mexican side Pachuca.<\/p>\n A club statement read: \u201cFC Barcelona wishes to make clear that it considers totally improper and inappropriate the RFEF president\u2019s behaviour during the celebrations for the World Cup victory achieved by the Spanish women\u2019s team. The incident we consider to be deplorable.\u201d<\/p>\n England forward Beth Mead wrote on social media: \u201cThe game, the Spanish players deserve more, no players should have to endure this. It\u2019s unacceptable, and also laughable that these men still are allowed so much power.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n