Spanish Court Says Luis Rubiales’ Unsolicited Kiss With Soccer Player Was Not A ‘Very Serious’ Offense

A Spanish court on Friday agreed to open a case against Spanish Football Federation chief Luis Rubiales for kissing a women’s soccer player at the World Cup final, but the court said it only considered the potential offense “serious” as opposed to “very serious” — a setback for the Spanish government, which now cannot immediately suspend Rubiales, according to multiple outlets.

The Spanish government is seeking to suspend Rubiales, who kissed Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso after her team won the World Cup in August — a kiss Hermoso later state was unwanted — prompting a global controversy over Rubiales’ future.

A “very serious” ruling from the independent Administrative Sports Court could have enabled Spain’s government to suspend Rubiales.