Spanish FA Chief Luis Rubiales' mother goes into hunger strike after FIFA's suspension

Luis Rubiales, the head of the Spanish football federation, has faced considerable backlash following the kiss controversy with midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the award ceremony at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 final. A video capturing the moment went viral, depicting Rubiales kissing Hermoso on the lips as she ascended the stage to collect her gold medal while celebrating Spain's monumental World Cup triumph. Despite widespread condemnation, Rubiales has stood firm in his decision not to resign. In response, the Spanish women's team has taken a decisive stance, announcing their refusal to participate in any further matches until Rubiales relinquishes his position.

3 things you need to know

• Luis Rubiales is facing scrutiny for publicly kissing Jenni Hermoso
• He has refused to step down as chief of Spanish FA
• FIFA has imposed a 90-day ban on Rubiales amid investigations

Also Read: Spain Womens Football Team Declares Protest After Kissing Saga, Lionesses Extend Support

Rubiales' mother goes on hunger strike

The mother of Luis Rubiales, the head of the Spanish Football Federation, has taken a dramatic stance by entering a church and starting a hunger strike to protest against what she sees as his unjust treatment following his unsolicited kiss on Jenni Hermoso.

This past Saturday morning, FIFA took a significant step by initiating disciplinary actions against Rubiales. In an official statement, FIFA conveyed that the 46-year-old official has been handed a ban "from engaging in any football-related activities at both the national and international levels" for a duration of 90 days. 

[Luis Rubiales speaks during an emergency general assembly meeting at Las Rozas; Image: AP]

Despite being suspended by FIFA for the incident in which he kissed Hermoso after Spain's 1-0 Women's World Cup final victory over England, Rubiales has resisted stepping down from his position. The anticipation was that he would announce his resignation during a meeting on Friday. However, he delivered a defiant speech instead, claiming he was being unfairly targeted by "false feminists" in what he termed a witch-hunt.

Meanwhile, Rubiales' mother, Angeles Bejar, has taken matters into her own hands. She has initiated a hunger strike and locked herself inside the parish church of Divina Pastora in Rubiales' hometown of Motril in southern Spain, as reported by the EFE news agency. Bejar has decided to carry on with the strike until the alleged "inhumane and bloody hunt' against her son is stopped.

Also Read: Spanish FA President Approaches Jenni Hermoso's Family After Kissing Incident: Reports

Bejar made a plea to Jenni Hermoso to tell the truth and adhere to her initial account of the incident. Bejar vehemently defended her son, asserting that he is not capable of causing harm to anyone. Jenni Hermoso, on the other hand, reiterated her lack of consent to the kiss and expressed feeling "vulnerable and victimized" by the incident.

Image: Twitter/AP