MADRID – Luis Rubiales, Spain’s suspended soccer federation president, mentioned on Friday that he’ll proceed to defend himself “to prove the truth”, after the nation’s prime sports activities court docket opened an investigation into his forcible kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso.

The Spanish authorities lodged a criticism in opposition to Rubiales by the state-run National Sports Council (CSD) every week in the past, accusing him of “very serious” offences.

But in agreeing to take the case, the Administrative Tribunal for Sport (TAD) mentioned it thought of the behaviour in query “serious”, falling in need of the federal government’s characterisation of Rubiales’ actions.

Had the court docket accepted the “very serious” qualification, it might have allowed the Sports Council to droop the 46-year-old head of the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) throughout the case.

Rubiales has already been suspended by world soccer’s governing physique Fifa for 90 days whereas it decides on disciplinary measures following the incident after Spain gained the Women’s World Cup closing in Sydney on Aug 20.

Sports Minister Miquel Iceta mentioned CSD would nonetheless “ask the court to temporarily suspend Rubiales from his duties until the case against him has been definitively resolved”.

“The Sports Council and the government believe the RFEF president’s actions should be classified as a very serious abuse of authority which damage the image of Spanish football,” he advised a information convention.

“We will not tolerate any lack of respect for women’s rights, nor will we back down on policies of equality between men and women in sport.”

Rubiales swiftly responded to the federal government strain in a press release revealed by newspaper El Mundo, his first public phrases since his fiery defensive speech final week wherein he refused to resign.

“I want to send a message to all the good people in our country and beyond our borders, including those women who have really been attacked and who have my full support and understanding – this is not about gender, it is about truth,” he mentioned.

Spain’s prime felony court docket has additionally opened a preliminary investigation into the kiss on the grounds it might represent “sexual assault”, which below Spanish regulation covers a wide selection of offences from on-line abuse to rape.

Rubiales additionally got here below fireplace for grabbing his crotch with each fingers as he celebrated Spain’s win in Sydney whereas standing subsequent to Spain’s Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, Princess Sofia.

The federation chief apologised for his behaviour however repeated his perception that the kiss was consensual – Hermoso has mentioned it was not, and that she felt like a “victim of an assault”.