MOSCOW, 28 Aug – The Secretary General of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Andreu Camps, has appealed to the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) with a complaint about the intervention of the Spanish government after the scandal with the suspended head of the organization, Luis Rubiales, reports Onda Cero.

During the awards ceremony for the winners of the World Cup, which was held in Australia and New Zealand, Rubiales hugged and kissed the lips of Spain footballer Jennifer Hermoso. Many journalists and fans called his actions excessive. The International Football Federation (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. On Saturday, the FIFA disciplinary committee suspended him from any activity related to football.

Camps accuses members of the Spanish government of publicly calling for the resignation of Rubiales and demands that UEFA take action. Earlier, Vice President Yolanda Diaz, Minister of Culture and Sports Mikel Iseta and President of the Supreme Sports Council Victor Francos made demands to remove Rubiales. According to the UEFA statutes, associations must manage their own affairs without the influence of third parties. Otherwise, UEFA has the right to suspend the organization’s membership, remove clubs from European competitions and the national team at the European Championship.

The Union of European Football Associations has not yet issued a statement in connection with the scandal. According to the publication, this is due to the friendship between Rubiales, who also holds the position of UEFA vice president, and the head of the organization, Aleksander Čeferin.

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 46 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.