panish football federation president Luis Rubiales has been provisionally suspended by world governing body Fifa.
Rubiales has refused to resign after kissing forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win over England in Sydney.
But Fifa has opted to “provisionally suspend Mr Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level”.
In response the Spanish football federation (RFEF) said Rubiales would “legally defend himself”
“He fully trusts Fifa and reiterates that, in this way, he is given the opportunity to begin his defence so that the truth prevails and his complete innocence is proven,” the RFEF said.
The statement added that vice president Pedro Rocha Junco has taken on the role of interim president while Rubiales is suspended.
Fifa opened disciplinary proceedings against the 46-year-old on Thursday.
“This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings,” Fifa added.
Fifa has also ordered Rubiales or any representative of the federation (RFEF) to refrain from attempting to contact Hermoso, 33.
The RFEF said in an earlier statement it had tried to contact Hermoso, who is Spain’s leading women’s goalscorer with 51 from 101 appearances, but had “been unsuccessful at all times”.
Earlier, a senior figure at the RFEF said he has stepped down from his position.
“I have presented my resignation after seeing that Luis Rubiales continues to head the Spanish federation,” said vice-president Rafael del Amo.
“I owe a lot of things to Luis but what happened in the final is unacceptable.”
Anti-discrimination body Kick It Out said it welcomed Fifa’s action but COO Hollie Varney added: “There has been a complete lack of accountability and it is now up to international bodies such as Fifa and Uefa, or the Spanish government, to try and resolve these issues and ask whether those in charge at the Spanish FA are fit to lead.”
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, who played for Spanish club Barcelona, said it was a “disgrace” that Rubiales has “taken all the attention away from the Spanish women’s wonderful achievement”.
Fellow Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright, meanwhile, was critical of the lack of comment from European football’s governing body Uefa, where Rubiales is a vice-president.
“[Fifa’s action is] good. But still silence from Uefa. No solidarity. No comment on the behaviour of their vice-president,” he said.
“Same Uefa whose president did not attend the Women’s World Cup final where both teams represented the region. These are the same people in charge of leading the future of women’s football.”
Aintzane Encinas, who played for Spanish club Real Sociedad for 13 seasons and is now a coach, told the BBC it was time that things changed.
“I think it’s a very, very important moment for Spanish football, and also for world football,” she said.
“Football is an incredible tool for transforming society, to showcase values like respect, ability and equality – we must use it.
“We all stand with Jenni Hermoso – the whole world is speaking out about what’s happening. We are united in this, and that makes me very proud.”
Barcelona manger Xavi Hernandez is among those speaking out. He posted on social media: “I want to give my unconditional support to Jennifer Hermoso and the players. I condemn the behaviour of the president of the Spanish Football Federation.”
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