FIFA ban Ex-Spanish FA chief Rubiales for three years after kiss scandal

Rubiales gave player Jenni Hermoso an unsolicited kiss on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory in August.

FIFA has banned former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales from the sport for three years for misconduct at the Women’s World Cup final where he gave a player an unsolicited kiss on the lips at the trophy ceremony.

“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 Rubiales had been provisionally suspended for an initial period of 90 days,” world football’s governing body said on Monday.

FIFA did not publish details of the verdict reached by its disciplinary committee judges, who 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.”

Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in Sydney, Australia.

Minutes earlier, Rubiales grabbed his crotch as a victory gesture in the exclusive section of seats with Queen Letizia of Spain and 16-year-old Princess Sofia standing nearby.

Rubiales resigned from his jobs in football in September after weeks of defiance that increased pressure on him from the Spanish government and national team players.

Rubiales can request the verdict within 10 days and then file an appeal to FIFA, football’s world body said.

Hermos has filed a legal complaint over the unsolicited kiss.

More to follow.