The erstwhile president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, has been handed a three-year ban from all football-related activities.
The action was meted out by FIFA’s disciplinary committee in response to a series of contentious incidents that unfolded at the Women’s World Cup final in August.
The flashpoint that ignited the controversy was an inappropriate act by Rubiales, who kissed Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the presentation ceremony of the Women’s World Cup final.
The ensuing uproar led to Rubiales stepping down from his pivotal role at the Spanish Football Federation in September. Subsequently, FIFA suspended him from all football activities pending a thorough investigation, which has now reached its conclusion.
In a statement, FIFA declared, “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. The committee found him in breach of Article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
Rubiales has been formally apprised of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision and has been granted a 10-day window to lodge an appeal.
FIFA further emphasized its unwavering commitment “to respecting and protecting the integrity of all people and ensuring that the basic rules of decent conduct are upheld.”