MOSCOW, 26 Aug – The vice-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Pedro Rocha Junco, will act as head of the organization following the suspension of Luis Rubiales, RFEF said in a statement.

On Saturday, the disciplinary committee of the International Football Federation (FIFA) temporarily suspended Rubiales from his post because of the scandal associated with the kiss of the Spanish national team player Jennifer Hermoso. RFEF reported that they received a notification from the disciplinary committee.

During the awards ceremony for the winners of the World Cup, which took place in Australia and New Zealand, Rubiales hugged and kissed Hermoso on the lips. Many journalists and fans called his actions excessive. FIFA opened a disciplinary case against Rubiales. The head of the RFEF apologized for his behavior, but the federation convened an extraordinary assembly, during a speech at which Rubiales announced that he would not resign and was ready to defend himself in court.

Hermoso was supported by many players, including Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto, two-time winner of the Golden Ball among women, Alexia Putellas, as well as other players of the Spanish national team. The public prosecutor’s office in Madrid on Friday opened a case against the head of the RFEF on suspicion of sexual assault. The case contains a statement from Hermoso herself, as well as from the president of the national school of football coaches, Miguel Angel Galan.

Rubiales is 45 years old. He has led RFEF since May 2018. Hermoso is Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer. In 2022, the football player moved to the Mexican Pachuca.