Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association, has been banned from ‘all football-related activities’ for three years by FIFA.
Luis Rubiales was embroiled in a drawn-out scandal in the fallout from Spain’s 1-0 win over England in the Women’s World Cup final after he kissed Spanish player Jenni Hermoso without her consent.
The 46-year-old Luis Rubiales was also seen grabbing his crotch in celebration shortly after the final whistle and faced widespread criticism for both acts.
Rubiales initially refused to quit and attempted to continue in his role but, in the face of mounting pressure and strikes from Spain’s World Cup-winning players, eventually resigned on 10th September.
Now, following an investigation from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, he has had his initial 90-day suspension upgraded after a breach of Article 13 of the Fifa disciplinary code.
A FIFA statement released on Monday read: ‘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 reiterates its absolute commitment to respecting and protecting the integrity of all people and ensuring that the basic rules of decent conduct are upheld.’
Back in Spain, Rubiales is still under criminal investigation over the incident but has continually denied any wrongdoing and claimed the kiss was consensual.
In September, a Spanish High Court imposed a restraining order on Rubiales which prevented him from coming within 200 metres or communicating with Hermoso.
Rubiales has ten days to appeal the ban should he wish.
Hermoso, who said she felt “vulnerable and a victim of aggression” in the wake of the incident has sinced return to the national side along with her World Cup teammates after the Spanish FA (RFEF) agreed to ‘immediate and profound changes.’
The all-time leading scorer for her country marked her return in style as she scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Italy in the Nations League on 27th October.