Shamed former Spanish football president Luis Rubiales banned by FIFA for three years over Jenni Hermoso ‘kiss-gate’ scandal
- Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips as Spain celebrated their World Cup victory
- He resigned as head of the Spanish federation in September amid intense criticism
- Now FIFA has banned Rubiales from all football activities for three years
Disgraced former Spanish football president Luis Rubiales has been banned from all football-related activities for three years.
Rubiales kissed footballer Jenni Hermoso on the lips without consent after Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory against England in August.
World football’s governing body FIFA, which initially banned Rubiales for 90 days, has now banned him for three years.
A FIFA statement released on Monday said: ‘FIFA’s disciplinary committee has banned Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), from all football-related activities at national and international level for three years, after finding that he acted in breach of Article 13 of FIFA’s disciplinary code.’
The incident completely overshadowed Spain’s victory at the World Cup, with Rubiales kissing Hermoso as he presented the players with their medals.
Former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has been banned for three years
Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips without her consent after Spain’s World Cup success
Hermoso said the kiss after Spain’s World Cup victory in Sydney was not consensual
Hermoso argued that the kiss was without mutual consent, while Rubiales claimed the opposite and defiantly refused to resign from office.
A number of Spanish players signed a statement saying they refused to play for the national team until Rubiales was removed.
Finally, on September 10, Rubiales resigned as president of the Spanish Federation and also as vice-president of UEFA, after being provisionally suspended by FIFA pending investigations.
The FIFA statement added: ‘Mr Rubiales has today been informed of the terms of the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
‘He has ten days to request a reasoned decision, which will be published on legal.fifa.com if requested. The decision may be appealed to the FIFA appeals committee.
“FIFA reiterates its absolute commitment to respect and protect the integrity of all people and to ensure that the basic rules of decent behavior are adhered to.”
Rubiales, 46, remains under criminal investigation in Spain and denies wrongdoing.
Last month, a court issued a restraining order banning Rubiales from coming within 200 yards of Hermoso or contacting her.
It came after he appeared before the Audencia Nacional court in Madrid to deny allegations of assault and coercion against the footballer.
Rubiales also carried Spanish player Athenea del Castillo over his shoulder during the post-match World Cup victory celebrations and was spotted by cameras grabbing his crotch to mark the win.
More to follow.