Spanish top hat Rubiales is banned from football for 3 years – 10/30/2023 – Sport

Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), was banned from all football-related activities for three years by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, world football’s highest governing body, it was reported on Monday (30).

The suspension was imposed over Rubiales’ allegedly non-consensual kiss with Spanish player Jenni Hermoso after this year’s Women’s World Cup final, in which Spain beat England.

The scandal overshadowed what was an important moment for Spanish women’s football.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Commission has banned Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), from all football-related activities at national and international level for three years, finding that he acted in violation of article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” FIFA said in a statement.

Rubiales’ lawyers told Reuters they would not comment on the decision.

Rubiales resigned in September as president of the federation, saying his position had become untenable. He had initially promised not to resign despite pressure from players, politicians and women’s groups.

Hermoso filed a complaint against Rubiales, alleging that he and his entourage issued a statement without her approval, quoting her as saying the kiss was a “mutual, totally spontaneous gesture.”

Rubiales, 46, has the right to appeal the decision.

“Mr. Rubiales was notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Commission’s decision today,” the organization said. “The decision remains subject to a possible appeal before the FIFA Appeals Committee.”

Former England midfielder Sue Smith said it was the right result.

“Something needed to be done. I watched it at the time and thought it wasn’t right,” she told Sky Sports.

“Women’s football has come together on this and it’s the right result.”

Kiss after the title

Rubiales provoked outrage in Spain and the international community for the kiss he gave national team player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the women’s World Cup medal ceremony on August 20, shortly after Spain’s victory over England in Sydney, Australia.

Hermoso filed a lawsuit against Luis Rubiales. The complaint presented was essential for the judicial process to move forward. The Public Prosecutor’s Office of the National Audience (ANE) had already started a preliminary investigation against the director for an “alleged crime of sexual harassment”.

In September, when he resigned as president of the federation, the top hat defended himself. “I must look forward, look to the future. Now there is something that concerns me firmly. I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power to prevail. My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of excessive persecution , as well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth prevails.”