The Spanish Football Association has activated its ‘sexual violence protocol’ over the association’s president Luis Rubiales “non-consensual” kissing of footballer Jennifer Hermoso that has caused controversy.

“Our protocol is currently activated and in the midst of investigating the events, thus we demand the utmost respect for the right to privacy and dignity of all individuals involved,” the federation (RFEF) protocol’s promotion delegate Maria Dolores Martinez Madrona said in a letter published by the federation.

The latest development came a day after the world football governing body, FIFA, provisionally suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities following the 46-year-old football administrator’s refusal to resign from his position despite pressure from the public and some football figures.

“We (FIFA) decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level,” the statement said. “Suspension effective ‘for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings opened against Mr. Luis Rubiales,” FIFA announced on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Rubiales has reiterated that he is not going to resign and is ready to be vilified, as the former footballer vowed to fight the “social assassination” campaign against him.

“I will not resign, I will not resign,” Rubiales told an extraordinary general assembly called by the Spanish federation, where he was expected to resign from his position. “A social assassination is taking place,” the 46-year-old added.