Court hands win to defiant Spanish football chief over government

Spain’s highest court which deals with issues related to sports law on Friday decided football federation President Luis Rubiales’ forced kiss with forward Jenni Hermoso did not constitute a “very grave” violation of Spanish law.

By opening an investigation into Rubiales for only a “grave” violation, as opposed to a more serious breach of the country’s Sports Law, the Administrative Tribunal for Sport made it impossible for the autonomous government agency that oversees all sporting activities in Spain to suspend the disgraced federation chief until a final verdict is issued.

Secretary of State for Sport Víctor Francos, who presides over the country’s High Council for Sport, told Spanish media that the body would nonetheless request the court suspend Rubiales provisionally.