..
FIFA provisionally suspends Spanish soccer chief Rubiales
amid kiss controversy
By Don Jacobson
Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Soccer governing body FIFA on Saturday provisionally suspended Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales from office while it investigates a controversial kiss given to player Jennifer Hermoso.
FIFA said in a statement that Rubiales is suspended "from all football-related activities at national and international level" for an initial period of 90 days pending the results of a disciplinary hearing it opened Thursday.
The soccer body also ordered Rubiales to refrain, either through himself or third parties, from contacting or attempting to contact Hermoso or members of her entourage with the aim of "preserving, among other factors, the fundamental rights of the player."
FIFA likewise ordered members of the Spanish soccer federation, known as RFEF, from similarly contacting the player.
Rubiales announced Friday at the RFEF Ordinary General Assembly in Madrid that he was not going to resign in the wake of controversy generated by his kiss on Hermoso's mouth at the Gold Medal ceremony following Spain's victory in the Women's World Cup, which the player has claimed was "non-consensual" and "sexist."
"I will not resign, I will not resign, I will not resign," Rubiales repeated to the crowd, citing what he called "fake feminism" claiming that it was Hermoso who initiated the exchange and brought him "closer to her body."
He was caught on camera as he pulled the midfielder's head forward with both hands and kissed her on the lips during the ceremony.
Hermoso on Friday vehemently denied Rubiales' characterization of the event as "consensual," saying in a statement, "I felt vulnerable, the victim of an attack in an impulsive, sexist, out of place act and without any type of consent on my part. I was simply not respected."
Rubiales' actions triggered widespread outrage across the soccer world and larger Spanish society. Twenty-three Spanish women's team members and other players have announced they are boycotting the team until Rubiales resigns, calling for "real changes" in the organization's culture.
FIFA on Thursday said that Rubiales' actions "may constitute violations" of sections of its disciplinary code, which include "behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute."
Meanwhile on Saturday, the RFEF threatened to sue Hermoso, saying in a statement it intends "to take any necessary legal actions in defense of the honorability of the President of the RFEF."
Rubiales, it asserted, "has clearly and simply explained how the events, which have become a source of controversy and ridicule by wide sectors of society against him, transpired."
The organization posted a series of photographs from the ceremony it claims backs up the his claims the kiss was consensual.
"The evidence is conclusive," it said. "The President has not lied."
=====================================================================================
Spanish soccer federation dismisses women's national team
coach amid Rubiales controversy
Jorge Vilda, who joined squad in 2015, guided it to a World Cup title win in August
Tales Azzoni · The Associated Press · Posted: Sep 05, 2023 8:53 AM PDT |
Jorge Vilda, pictured, coached the Spanish national women's team to a World Cup title last month. The Spanish soccer federation fired him Tuesday. He was among those who applauded federation president Luis Rubiales when he refused to resign despite facing widespread criticism for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent during the victory celebrations. (Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images)
The Spanish soccer federation fired women's national team coach Jorge Vilda on Tuesday, less than three weeks after his team won the Women's World Cup title and amid the controversy involving suspended federation president Luis Rubiales.
The coach was among those who applauded Rubiales when he refused to resign despite facing widespread criticism for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the title celebrations in Sydney last month.
Rubiales, who also grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture after the final, has been provisionally suspended by FIFA and is facing a Spanish government case against him for the conduct that prompted a storm of criticism and led to widespread calls for his resignation.
Vilda later said Rubiales's behaviour was improper. Men's coach Luis de la Fuente also applauded Rubiales's diatribe against what he called "false feminists," and apologized on Friday for having clapped in what he described an "inexcusable human error."
The captains of Spain's men's national team on Monday condemned Rubiales's "unacceptable behaviour" in a show of support for the Women's World Cup-winning team.
Vilda was at the helm at the World Cup even though some players rebelled against him less than a year ago in a crisis that put his job in jeopardy. Fifteen players stepped away from the national team for their mental health, demanding a more professional environment. Only three returned to the squad that won the World Cup.
Vilda was heavily backed by Rubiales throughout the process.
TikTok star Luke Rockwell arrested for sex abuse of a minor in Thailand
By Ronny Reyes, NYPost
Published Sep. 4, 2023
Updated Sep. 5, 2023, 6:22 a.m. ET
US TikTok star and teacher Luke Rockwell has been arrested in Thailand for allegedly having sex with a minor — and recording it, according to local police.
Rockwell, 29, who has 1.3 million followers on TikTok, was booked Sunday in the Wattana District after a mom accused the Florida man of having sex with her 16-year-old daughter while he was teaching kids English in Bangkok, the Bangkok Post reports.
The mother, who was not publicly identified, told police Rockwell and her daughter had been messaging each other before the relationship turned physical. The pair had known each other for about five months.
The influencer also allegedly filmed their sexual encounters, according to the complaint obtained by the Bangkok Post.
After finding out about Rockwell and her child’s alleged relationship, the mother contacted the Department of Welfare For Children and Women, who joined officers from the Khlong Tan station to take the English teacher into custody.
The mom allegedly found out about the crime when her daughter fell ill with abdominal pains caused by chlamydia and gonorrhea that she contracted through Rockwell, the Daily Mail reported.
Good grief! What a jerk!
TikTok star Luke Rockwell has amassed more than 1 million followers through clips of him teaching English.
ViralPress
“My daughter said the first time they had sex, Teacher Luke used protection but after he did not use any. She trusted him,” the mother told the Mail.
“Teacher Luke told her to keep everything a secret until she turned 18. He told my daughter that he loved her and would let her come live with him when she’s no longer a minor,” she added.
Police have not commented or confirmed the allegations that Rockwell gave the minor STDs. Officials said an investigation into Rockwell is still ongoing.
Although the age of consent in Thailand is 15, anyone under 18 is still considered a minor under the law, with Rockwell accused of “taking a minor over 15 years but not over 18 years of age away from a parent, guardian or caregiver without justifiable cause for obscenity.”
He faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of about $560 USD.
Rockwell’s once prominent social media presence has been set to private following his arrest. The Florida resident gained a huge following on TikTok, where he would share clips of himself teaching English.
Rockwell was notably the center of controversy in 2021 when he uploaded videos claiming that the Philippines was among the most racist countries in the world.
The hashtag #CancelTeacherLuke, spread on TikTok following the controversial video and Rockwell’s defense of it.
No comments:
Post a Comment