The president of the Spanish soccer federation Luis Rubiales speaks during an emergency general assembly meeting in Las Rozas, Aug 25, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

MADRID - Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales was provisionally suspended by FIFA on Saturday for his behavior in the Women's World Cup final in Sydney last Sunday.

"The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio (Colombia), in use of the powers granted by article 51 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level," FIFA's declaration stated.

"This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings opened against Mr Luis Rubiales on Thursday, August 24."

FIFA also forbade Rubiales or his associates from contacting Hermoso or people "in her environment"

The RFEF later announced that Pedro Rocha, who was previously vice-president, will step forward to be the new RFEF president while an investigation against Rubiales takes place.

FIFA also forbade Rubiales or his associates from contacting Hermoso or people "in her environment."

Rubiales caused outrage with his behavior in the directors' box when he celebrated Spain's 1-0 win over England with obscene gestures, and then when he kissed Spain forward Jennifer Hermoso on the lips in the award ceremony.

Hermoso has stressed that she did not consent to the kiss, with Rubiales' actions leading to an outcry against him from both inside football and other figures in Spanish politics and society.

READ MORE: Spain team quits as Rubiales refuses to resign in kiss scandal

Rubiales addressed a meeting on the RFEF on Friday in which he railed against a "social assassination" against him and "false feminism," and insisted he would not resign.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has also issued a statement for him, saying Rubiales "will defend himself legally in the competent bodies, has full confidence in the FIFA bodies, and reiterates that, in this way, he is being given the opportunity to begin his defense so that the truth prevails and his complete innocence is proven".

That led all 23 members of Spain's World Cup winning squad, plus another 58 players, to sign a declaration saying they refused to play for their country again while Rubiales remained in charge.

READ MORE: Report: Spanish federation chief to quit over kiss scandal

The Spanish prosecutor's office announced it would press for criminal charges against Rubiales for sexual assault, while the government's Upper Sports Committee (CSD) said they will take the case to the Administrative Sports Tribunal (TAD) to try and suspend Rubiales.

Jorge Vilda, the coach of the Spanish Women's soccer team, said on Saturday that he regretted the "inappropriate behavior" of Rubiales.

Spain's Jennifer Hermoso (right) and head coach Jorge Vilda listen to reporters' questions during a press conference at Eden Park ahead of the Women's World Cup semifinal match between Spain and Sweden in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug 14, 2023. (PHOTO /AP)

Victor Francos, head of Spain's state-run National Sports Council, said the government supported FIFA's decision.

Eleven members of the national women's team's coaching staff complained of "the discomfort" of having been required to attend the federation assembly on Friday and said, "several female members of the technical staff were forced to sit in the front row ... to create the impression that they shared the RFEF president's line"

In a further twist to the tale, the RFEF on Saturday morning published a series of photos attempting to show that Rubiales' kiss on Hermoso was consensual, while also threatening to sue her for lying defamation and threatening action against the players who have refused to represent Spain while Rubiales remains in office. 

Players' revolt

It was not clear how the FIFA action would affect a players' revolt against Rubiales that expanded to include coaching staff on Saturday.

In a joint statement sent via their FUTPRO union on Friday evening, all 23 of Spain's cup-winning squad including Hermoso, as well as dozens of other squad members, said they would not play internationals while Rubiales remained head of the federation.

On Saturday evening, Jorge Vilda, the coach of the Spanish Women's soccer team said in a statement to the Spanish news agency EFE: "I am deeply sorry that the victory of the Spanish women's football team has been harmed by the inappropriate behavior that our until now top manager, Luis Rubiales."

READ MORE: Spain's PM: Rubiales' apology over unsolicited kiss not enough

Eleven members of the national women's team's coaching staff complained of "the discomfort" of having been required to attend the federation assembly on Friday and said, "several female members of the technical staff were forced to sit in the front row ... to create the impression that they shared the RFEF president's line".

Luis de La Fuente, the men's national team manager who could be seen applauding Rubiales on Friday, issued a statement on Saturday condemning "the actions of Luis Rubiales that did not respect the minimum protocol for such (World Cup) celebrations and are not constructive nor appropriate for someone representing all of the Spanish soccer".