the three-year suspension of the ex-boss of the Spanish federation confirmed by Fifa – Libération

Women’s Football World Cup 2023fileThe former president of the Spanish football federation had surprised player Jenni Hermoso last August after their team’s victory in the World Cup.

We are not about to see Luis Rubiales next to a football again. Fifa confirmed this Friday, January 26, the suspension of all football-related activities of the former boss of the Spanish federation, Luis Rubiales, for a period of three years. The 46-year-old gave player Jenni Hermoso a surprise kiss on the lips in August after the Spanish team’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final.

“After analyzing the arguments presented to it”, the appeal committee of the International Football Federation “decided to reject” Luis Rubiales’ appeal “and to confirm the sanction” which was “imposed on him”, announced the sporting body in a press release published this Friday afternoon.

After the appointment of a new investigating judge in the investigation into the forced kiss affair, former Spanish football boss Luis Rubiales was sent to trial on Thursday January 25. At the end of his investigation, judge Francisco de Jorge ruled that this kiss, given to the number 10 of the Spanish national team after its victory in the World Cup, had “not been consented” and that “ This is a unilateral initiative, made by surprise,” underlines the National Audience Court in a press release.

Refusing to resign for “a little consensual kiss”, Rubiales attacked, in a resounding speech five days after the events, a supposed “false feminism”. And argued that he had obtained the player’s authorization before kissing her. A version denied by Jenni Hermoso who said she “felt vulnerable and victim […] of an impulsive and sexist act, inappropriate and without any consent of [sa] part».