MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's Sport Administrative Tribunal (TAD) on Friday opened a case against soccer boss Luis Rubiales for "serious misconduct" after the furore caused by his behaviour following Spain's victory in the women's World Cup, daily El Pais reported.
However, the TAD did not decide to open a case for "very serious misconduct", which means the National Sports Council (CSD) will not be able to suspend Rubiales as head of the country's football federation for the duration of the investigation.
Rubiales sparked a storm when he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's win in Sydney. He also grabbed his crotch while standing feet away from Spain's Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter.
World soccer governing body FIFA has already suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities for three months while it investigates, but the CSD said it would move ahead with its own case regardless.
Rubiales has refused to resign, and has said the kiss was consensual. Hermoso has said she did not consent to the kiss and felt "vulnerable and the victim of an aggression".