Former RFEF boss Luis Rubiales, who faced disgrace for an incident involving an unauthorised kiss with Spain’s Jenni Hermoso, has been handed a three-year ban from football.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee determined that Rubiales, the former president of Spain’s Football Association (RFEF), had violated Article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary code with his behaviour following the Women’s World Cup final.
This ban encompasses all football-related activities for three years.
The incident occurred when the 46-year-old kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips as she received her winner’s medal following Spain’s victory over England in Sydney.
Hermoso later confirmed that she had not consented to the kiss, leading to a series of events, including a mass walkout by Spanish players and support staff.
Despite the controversy, Rubiales had persistently denied any wrongdoing, even when resigning from his position as RFEF president.
In August, FIFA imposed a provisional 90-day suspension, and now they have issued a three-year ban, which will keep him away from football until 2026.
It’s important to note that there is still a right to appeal available in this case.
FIFA’s statement explained: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has banned Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), from all football-related activities at national and international levels for three years, having found that he acted in breach of article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
“This case relates to the events that occurred during the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on August 20, 2023, for which Mr Rubiales had been provisionally suspended for an initial period of 90 days.
“Mr Rubiales has been notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today.
In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, he has ten days in which to request a motivated decision. The decision remains subject to a possible appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
“FIFA reiterates its absolute commitment to respecting and protecting the integrity of all people and ensuring that the basic rules of decent conduct are upheld.”
In addition to his FIFA ban, Luis Rubiales is currently facing a criminal investigation in Spain. This legal process began after prosecutors received Jenni Hermoso’s initial complaint of sexual assault, which was filed with a court in Madrid.
A second complaint of coercion was later added, relating to alleged pressure on Hermoso to support Rubiales against the backlash resulting from his actions.
Rubiales recently appeared in court, where he denied both charges. However, he was issued a restraining order that prohibits him from coming within 200 metres of Hermoso.
Former Spain head coach Jorge Vilda, who had publicly supported Rubiales during a controversial speech in which the former president claimed he was being unfairly targeted by “false feminism,” is also under investigation in connection with the coercion allegation. Vilda has denied any wrongdoing.
Vilda was dismissed from his role last month following a series of issues during his tenure. Controversially, he has already secured a new position as the head coach of Morocco’s women’s national team.