Rubiales crisis fallout sees next UEFA annual meeting moved from Spain to France
The former president of Spain's soccer federation Luis Rubiales, left, pases a police van as he leaves after testifying at the National Court in Madrid, Spain, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. Spanish state prosecutors formally accused Rubiales last week of alleged sexual assault and an act of coercion after Rubiales kissed Spain forward Jenni Hermoso during the awards ceremony after Spain beat England to win the title on Aug. 20 in Sydney, Australia. Credit: AP/Manu Fernandez
NYON, Switzerland — In turmoil since the actions of its former president Luis Rubiales at the Women’s World Cup final, the Spanish soccer federation was stripped Tuesday of hosting the next annual meeting of European governing body UEFA.
Madrid was due to host the 2024 UEFA Congress of 55 member federations on Feb. 8, and also hold the group-stage draw for the next men’s Nations League competition.
UEFA said its executive committee decided to relocate both events to Paris on the same date.
Rubiales is under criminal investigation in Spain after World Cup-winning player Jenni Hermoso accused him of sexual assault for kissing her on the lips at the medal and trophy ceremony on Aug. 20 in Sydney, Australia.
A judge in Madrid issued a restraining order against Rubiales to not contact Hermoso.
Rubiales eventually resigned three weeks after the final under pressure from Spanish lawmakers and demands from the women’s national team for the federation to make changes.
Rubiales also resigned as a vice president of UEFA which paid him 250,000 euros ($270,000) plus expenses each year in the role. UEFA thanked Rubiales for his work in European soccer, and its president Aleksander Ceferin later suggested prosecuting the kiss as a felony seems “completely illogical.”
Spain's new women's national team coach Montse Tome, looks on during her official presentation at the Spanish soccer federation headquarters in Las Rozas, just outside of Madrid, Spain, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Tome replaced Jorge Vilda less than three weeks after Spain won the Women's World Cup title and amid the controversy involving suspended federation president Luis Rubiales who has now resigned. Credit: AP/Manu Fernandez
UEFA replaced Rubiales as a vice president on Tuesday by promoting executive committee member Armand Duka of Albania.
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