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.
The soccer chief kissed Spain player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent after Spain won the title in August in Sydney in a 1-0 victory over England. A week later, FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales.
Rubiales came under pressure from members of the national women’s team and Spanish politicians for his behavior. He eventually resigned as president in September, despite having previously insisted he would not do.
This case relates to the events that occurred during the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on 20 August 2023 for which Mr Luis 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, which, if requested, would subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com.
FIFA did not publish details of how disciplinary committee judges reached their verdict. However, it did say they had investigated charges relating to “basic rules of decent conduct” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute.”
In addition to the kiss, Rubiales was criticized for grabbing his crotch as a victory gesture while seated in an exclusive section of seats, close to Queen Letizia of Spain and 16-year-old Princess Sofia.
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.
