![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/08\/28\/13\/25-c9ef8692b386435ea561e3ab9c1c4f29.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Yesterday\u2019s developments in the Luis Rubiales controversy took a dramatic and strange twist as key figures from within the Spanish FA asked for its own teams to be expelled from Uefa competition.<\/p>\n
Miguel Delaney has the details:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The request to the European body that is being seen as the most significant, given it sums up how surreal the story has become.<\/p>\n With Rubiales facing a series of official complaints and a government process that could yet see him banned from sport in Spain for two to 15 years \u2013 to go with his current 90-day suspension from Fifa \u2013 the federation sent a request to Uefa to be expelled for breaking Uefa\u2019s own statutes on state interference. Expulsion would see clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona kicked out of European competitions such as the Champions League.<\/p>\n The move has been interpreted as \u201cbluster\u201d and \u201cbrinkmanship\u201d by the federation in order to support Rubiales, but it would still involve all of Spain\u2019s club and national teams being removed from competition, depriving them of income and \u2013 in the words of one party \u2013 \u201csetting Spanish football back years\u201d.<\/p>\n Full report:<\/em><\/p>\n The Spanish Football Federation has attempted to get itself expelled from Uefa competitions in an act of \u2018brinkmanship\u2019 while its president is investigated for sexual assault <\/p>\n Hundreds of people waving women\u2019s rights placards gathered in the centre of Madrid on Monday 28 August to protest against the Spanish football federation\u2019s president Luis Rubiales.<\/p>\n Rubiales was provisionally suspended by Fifa on Saturday 26 August, pending an investigation into his conduct at the Women\u2019s World Cup final in Sydney on 20 August.<\/p>\n The 46-year-old grabbed his crotch in the VIP area of the stadium in celebration of Spain\u2019s win over England, before kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy and medals presentation.<\/p>\n His mother is on hunger strike over the \u201cinhuman\u201d treatment of her son, according to reports in Spain.<\/p>\n Watch the video of the protest here:<\/em><\/p>\n Hundreds of people waving women\u2019s rights placards gathered in the centre of Madrid on Monday 28 August to protest against the Spanish football federation\u2019s president Luis Rubiales. Rubiales was provisionally suspended by Fifa on Saturday 26 August, pending an investigation into his conduct at the Women\u2019s World Cup final in Sydney on 20 August. The 46-year-old grabbed his crotch in the VIP area of the stadium in celebration of Spain\u2019s win over England, before kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy and medals presentation. His mother is on hunger strike over the \u201cinhuman\u201d treatment of her son, according to reports in Spain.<\/p>\n Just a few days after giving Luis Rubiales their full backing, the Spanish football authorities have made an about-turn.<\/p>\n Leading officials within the Spanish Football Federation asked suspended president Luis Rubiales to resign on Monday for kissing a player on the lips at the Women\u2019s World Cup final.<\/p>\n The heads of the regional bodies that make up the federation (RFEF) made the request in a collective statement.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter the latest developments and the unacceptable behavior that has caused great damage to the image of Spanish soccer, the presidents request that Luis Rubiales resign immediately as president of the RFEF,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n The heads also urged interim president Pedro Rocha to immediately withdraw the federation\u2019s request to Uefa on Monday to suspend it from international competitions because of government interference over demands to remove Rubiales.<\/p>\n Full details here:<\/p>\n Leading officials within the Spanish Football Federation have asked suspended president Luis Rubiales to resign after kissing a player on the lips at the Women\u2019s World Cup final<\/p>\n Luis Rubiales and the Spanish football federation (Rfef) remain under intense pressure and scrutiny following the president\u2019s kiss on Jenni Hermoso following the Fifa Women\u2019s World Cup final win.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/08\/28\/16\/AFP_33TK2KK.jpg\")
<\/p>\nUefa rejects Spanish expulsion plea as Luis Rubiales crisis takes bizarre new twist<\/h3>\n
Protesters gather in Madrid calling for Spanish football federation president to resign<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.jwplayer.com\/v2\/media\/rMvPxIfU\/poster.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHundreds of protesters gather in Madrid calling for Spanish football chief to resign<\/h3>\n
Luis Rubiales – latest updates<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/08\/28\/22\/Spain_Soccer_Rubiales_36635.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSpanish FA asks president Luis Rubiales to resign after World Cup kiss<\/h3>\n
Luis Rubiales – latest updates<\/h3>\n