FIFA has banned the former president of the Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales from any football-related activity for a period of three years.
After Spain’s victory against England in the Women’s World Cup final, Rubiales gave forward Jenni Hermoso a kiss on the lips.
Following the uproar caused by the kiss—which Hermoso claims was not consensual—Rubiales resigned from his position in September.
Later, Hermoso brought a lawsuit against Rubiales.
On Monday, FIFA, the global governing body, issued the three-year punishment for violating article 13 of its code of conduct on Monday. Rubiales, however, says he intends to appeal against the ban.
On his social media, he wrote, “I will go to the last resort to see that justice is done and that the truth shines through.”
FIFA the confirmed that the case against him concerned the “events that occurred during the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on 20 August 2023, for which Mr Rubiales had been provisionally suspended for an initial period of 90 days”.
A statement released by the body read, “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.”
The ruling was also said to be “subject to a possible appeal,” which Rubiales has already declared he plans to do.
Fair play principles and offensive behaviour are covered in Article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary rule.
Rubiales, 46, stated that the kiss was “mutual” during the post-match award ceremony, but Hermoso has insisted that it wasn’t.
Spain’s historic triumph in Sydney, Australia was overshadowed by the event.
A criminal complaint alleging sexual assault and coercion against Rubiales was heard at a national court in Madrid last month. As a result, Rubiales was prohibited from entering Hermoso’s 200-meter radius. He refuted the accusations.
The World Cup winning team boycotted the national team until the football federation made reforms in response to the overwhelming criticism of Rubiales’ behaviour.
As part of the criminal case against Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, the manager who won the World Cup, was fired in September and is now under investigation.
Hermoso, who claimed the kiss had damaged her reputation, rejoined the national team in October and won the match against Italy in the 89th minute.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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