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UEFA rejects Spanish FA’s request to kick teams out of Europe
UEFA has reportedly rejected a request from the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) to expel La Liga teams from the organization over a controversy involving Luis Rubiales, the RFEF president.
The controversy stemmed from Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup final. Rubiales was subsequently suspended by FIFA, and a criminal investigation was opened into the incident as Hermoso clarified that she did not consent to the kiss.
The RFEF requested that UEFA expel La Liga teams due to government involvement in the situation, citing potential breaches of UEFA rules on government interference in national football governing bodies. This move was seen by some as a way to pressure the Spanish government to refrain from removing Rubiales from his position.
However, AS reports that UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has reportedly rejected this request, indicating that UEFA is not willing to take such action against La Liga teams. This decision appears to symbolize a distancing of UEFA from Rubiales, who is also a vice-president of the organization.
Victor Francos, the president of Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD), reassured Spanish clubs that the government’s actions were within regulations, and there is no risk to their participation in various categories of competitions.