FIFA Bans Rubiales For 3 Years For Forced Kiss On Spain Player

FIFA has announced a three-year ban for former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales following an incident where he forcibly kissed World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso on the lips.

The ban comes after an unsolicited kiss during the medal ceremony following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup in Sydney back in August, resulting in Rubiales facing a 90-day provisional suspension initially.

According to FIFA, Rubiales is now prohibited from engaging in any football-related activities for a three-year period.

Jenni Hermoso expressed feeling “vulnerable and like the victim of an assault” due to the incident, describing it on social media as “an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part.”

Despite Rubiales maintaining that the kiss was consensual, he resigned as the head of the Spanish football federation in September.

In an official statement, FIFA confirmed the ban against Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), for three years, with the decision subject to a possible appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee. Rubiales has been given 10 days to request a “motivated decision,” which, if requested, would be published on FIFA’s legal website.

The statement emphasized FIFA’s unwavering commitment to respecting and safeguarding the integrity of all individuals, ensuring that fundamental standards of proper conduct are upheld.

Source: AFP