FIFA bans former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales from the sport for 3 years

Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), was banned from all football-related activities for three years by FIFA, the global football governing body announced on Monday.

“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,” FIFA said in a statement.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee had previously banned Rubiales for 90 days for kissing Jenni Hermoso of the Spanish women’s national team on the lips, grabbing his crotch, and throwing another player over his shoulder after the team’s 1-0 win over England in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, on August 20.

Rubiales’ acts led to calls for him to step down. He first refused to do so, which led to a protest by some players who refused for the national team. Hermoso filed a criminal complaint against him. Eventually, he resigned on September 10.

“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. The decision remains subject to a possible appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee,” FIFA said in the statement. “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.”

Spanish prosecutors have charged Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion for kissing Hermoso as well as putting pressure on her and her family to support his version of events. During his interview with Piers Morgan, Rubiales claimed that he is innocent.

The RFEF promised to implement broader, structural changes to solve the stand-off between the organization and the players ahead of the UEFA Nations League games in September.