The disciplinary committee of soccer’s international governing body has initiated proceedings against Luis Rubiales, the president of Spain’s soccer federation, and the federation has scheduled an emergency meeting over the unsolicited kiss he gave team member Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s World Cup victory Sunday.
FIFA announced its action, which came after an outcry from Spanish governmental and sports officials this week, on its website Thursday morning. It added that it would provide no further information until it has issued a final decision.
Rubiales offered an apology of sorts on Monday for the kiss on the podium during the post-match ceremony, saying he “made a mistake” and “if there are people who have felt offended, I have to say I’m sorry” after earlier calling critics of the gesture “idiots.