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This is the moment Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales kisses player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after their world cup win over England. After she is given her medal by Fifa President Gianni Infantino, Mr Rubiales can be seen giving Hermoso a hug and lifting her off her feet. A brief conversation follows before Mr Rubiales grabs Hermoso around her back and kisses her on the lips. Outrage quickly spread on social media, with football supporters accusing Mr Rubiales of inappropriate behaviour.

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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's World Cup final. The heads of the regional bodies that make up the federation (RFEF) made the request in a collective statement. “After 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,” the statement said. The heads also urged interim president Pedro Rocha to immediately withdraw the federation's request to Uefa on Monday to suspend it from international competitions because of government interference over demands to remove Rubiales. That move was widely seen as an attempt to silence some of Rubiales' critics, including government ministers who have asked for his removal, as such a suspension would ban Spanish teams from competitions like the Champions League and could sway public opinion in favor of letting him keep his job. Football’s governing bodies have long-standing rules barring national governments from interfering with the running of the domestic soccer federations. However, Uefa will not comply with the Spanish federation's request for a sanction, a source said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision-making process was confidential. Rubiales has faced a torrent of criticism from around the globe over his behavior at the Women’s World Cup final, including kissing Spain player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the on-field trophy ceremony. He was suspended from office Saturday by soccer's governing body Fifa, which is investigating his conduct. His mother on Monday started a hunger strike in a church in southern Spain in defense of her son, demanding an end to “the bloody and inhumane hounding” of Rubiales. The unprecedented request by the Spanish federation asking for a suspension seemed like a leverage play against its critics by trying to provoke fans and powerful clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid, plus the men’s national team, into backing its efforts to save Rubiales’ job. Rubiales is also a Uefa vice president. Spain’s top clubs are due to take part in Thursday’s Champions League group-stage draw being made by Uefa, and the men’s national team has games on Sept. 8 and 12 in qualifying for the 2024 European Championship. Fifa opened a disciplinary case against Rubiales on Thursday after taking control of the process because it organized the Women’s World Cup. Rubiales' behavior during and after Spain's 1-0 win over England in the final on Aug. 20 in Sydney, Australia, has focused intense scrutiny him and his five-year management of the federation. Fifa, however, did not invoke its version of the rules against government interference to protect Rubiales. The Spanish federation then urged Uefa to act, reportedly in a letter sent Friday, the same day its embattled president defiantly refused to resign at an emergency meeting. The Fifa suspension prevents Rubiales taking part in official business and having contact with other officials, including in Spain’s bid to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal, Morocco and possibly Ukraine. Fifa disciplinary judge Jorge Palacio also ordered Rubiales and the federation not to contact Hermoso. She has said the federation pressured her to publicly back Rubiales. Newly crowned as world champions, though drawn into a national scandal they did not seek and has distracted from their triumph, the Spain players have said they will not play any more games for as long as Rubiales is in charge. AP Read More Hundreds of protesters gather in Madrid calling for Spanish football chief to resign A week after sullying the Women’s World Cup, Rubiales is a Spanish football outcast Uefa rejects Spanish expulsion plea as Luis Rubiales crisis takes bizarre new twist Luis Rubiales’ mother locks herself in church and goes on hunger strike Luis Rubiales news LIVE: Police investigate president for alleged sexual assault Spanish FA launch ‘sexual violence protocol’ against Rubiales ahead of urgent meeting

Italy secured a routine 4-0 victory over Malta to keep the pressure on England in Group C of the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Giacomo Bonaventura opened the scoring for the Italians for his first-ever international goal and Domenico Berardi then scored twice – either side of half-time – before Davide Frattesi added a fourth in added time. Ukraine picked up an important three points in a bid for their group-stage hopes after they ran out 2-0 winners over North Macedonia. Ukraine opened the scoring in rather fortunate fashion as an Heorhiy Sudakov effort from outside the area was heavily deflected into the net to make it 1-0. The Ukrainians had to wait till stoppage time to rubber stamp the points when Oleksandr Karavayev spotted goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski off his line before firing home. In Group G, Hungary put themselves in the driving seat to qualify from the group after they defeated Serbia 2-1 at home. Barnabas Varga put the hosts ahead after 21 minutes and they were pegged back 12 minutes later through Strahinja Pavlovic, but Hungary instantly regained their lead when the ball fell for Roland Sallai, who let fly from 25 yards to win the match. Lithuania registered their first win of the qualifiers at the sixth attempt thanks to defender Pijus Sirvys’ double either side of half-time to beat 10-man Bulgaria 2-0. Three minutes after Adrian Kraev was sent off for a second bookable offence, Lithuania opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time after Sirvys bundled the ball home from a corner and he doubled their advantage 10 minutes after the break to pick up their first three points of the competition. In Group H, Northern Ireland wrapped up a 3-0 victory over lowly San Marino. Paul Smyth opened the scoring for the home side at Windsor Park in superb fashion with his scissor-kick from inside the area and they doubled their advantage six minutes later through Josh Magennis before adding a third – nine minutes from time – when Conor McMenamin netted his first international goal from close range. Slovenia strengthened their grip on qualifying following a 3-0 rout over Finland. Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko netted twice in the first half, firstly from the penalty spot before he raced through on goal and buried his second and all three points were rubber stamped in stoppage-time thanks to Eric Janza’s strike. Denmark stayed level on points with Slovenia to occupy the top two spots after they earned a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan. Jonas Wind opened the scoring in Parken when he bundled home from close range and Robert Skov added a second before he latched onto Christian Eriksen’s through ball to slot home Denmark’s third. Read More New Zealand end Ireland’s World Cup dreams as quarter-final curse continues Ben Earl convinced England can prove critics wrong in last-eight Fiji showdown Sam Tomkins’ career ends with Grand Final loss to his former side Wigan Warren Gatland admits change of referee did not help Wales in Argentina loss Sheikh Jassim withdraws from Manchester United takeover process Emiliano Boffelli stars as Argentina send Wales home from World Cup

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