Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association, has been banned for three years by FIFA for his abusive behavior at the Women’s World Cup medal ceremony. This applies to all activities in football at national and international level, the world association said in a statement on Monday.
30.10.2023 13.17
Online since today, 1:17 p.m
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee determined the sentence after Rubiales was found guilty of his conduct in breach of the provisions of Article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The 46-year-old Spaniard kissed Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth in Sydney on August 20th after the Spanish footballers’ World Cup triumph. The player then emphasized that this had happened against her will.
Rubiales had claimed that the kiss was consensual. He had initially ruled out resigning from his post, but then reluctantly left it. An investigation is still ongoing against Rubiales in Spain. He was initially suspended for 90 days by FIFA.
AP/John Cowpland Jennifer Hermoso returned to the Spanish national team after the kissing scandal at the end of October
Rubiales can appeal the verdict
The world association said the decision on the sentence was delivered to Rubiales on Monday. He has ten days to “apply for justification, which, if the application is approved, will then be published on legal.fifa.com.” The decision could be appealed to the FIFA Appeals Committee.
“In this context, FIFA reiterates its full commitment to respecting and protecting the integrity of all people and adhering to basic rules of decency,” the statement continued.
Months of discussions
With his behavior, Rubiales caused discussions for months. The team’s sporting triumph faded into the background. Hermoso had recently made her comeback in the selection, whose world champion coach had also had to leave. She came on as a substitute in the Nations League game in Italy on Friday evening in Salerno and scored the goal in the 89th minute for a 1-0 win.
2023-10-30 12:18:12
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