Former Spanish football federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales has seen an appeal against a three-year ban from all football-related activities dismissed.
Rubiales was banned by world football’s governing body, FIFA, in October following incidents at the Women’s World Cup final, where he kissed Spain player Jenni Hermoso on the lips and grabbed his crotch in celebration.
Rubiales, who resigned from his position in September, has said the kiss was consensual, but Hermoso has maintained it was not, saying she “will not tolerate that my word is doubted”.
In announcing the decision of its appeals committee, FIFA said it “reiterates its absolute commitment to respecting and protecting the integrity of all people and ensuring that the basic rules of decent conduct are upheld.”
While this appeal has failed, the suspension remains subject to a possible appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
A statement from FIFA on Friday read: “The FIFA Appeal Committee has rendered its decision on the appeal lodged by Mr Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), against the decision issued by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee banning him from all football-related activities at national and international levels for three years.
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“After analysing the submissions presented to it and conducting a hearing, the Appeal Committee decided to dismiss the appeal, and to confirm the sanction imposed upon Mr Rubiales. Amongst other considerations, the Appeal Committee was comfortably satisfied that Mr Rubiales behaved in a manner contrary to the principles enshrined under article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code during and after the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“The findings of the decision passed by the Appeal Committee were notified today to Mr Rubiales. 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, will subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com. The decision remains subject to a possible appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
Rubiales was provisionally suspended for 90 days by FIFA in August before it was confirmed in October that Rubiales was found to have breached article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary code.
Spanish prosecutors filed a lawsuit against Rubiales for alleged sexual assault and coercion in September with the judge investigating now recommending the case go to trial.
It has also been recommended that Jorge Vilda, ex-Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) marketing manager Ruben Rivera, and RFEF men’s national team director Albert Luque, the ex-Newcastle United striker, should also be tried.
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(Gabriel Monnet/AFP via Getty Images)
Christine Lake is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. With an extensive background in sports journalism, he covers everything from major league championships to grassroots sports events. When she’s not on the field or at the stadium, you’ll find Christine coaching youth sports teams.
