Luis Rubiales, the former head of the Spanish Football Association, has been barred from any football-related activities for a period of three years.
This decision was made in the wake of a contentious incident in which Rubiales kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory over England during the post-match presentation ceremony.
The incident eclipsed Spain’s victory as it spiraled into a sexist tempest that made headlines across the world. The Spanish High Court is looking at allegations of coercion and sexual assault against Rubiales after Hermoso filed a criminal complaint.
Rubiales claims that the kiss during the post-match presentation ceremony was mutually consenting, but Hermoso protested that it wasn’t and launched a lawsuit.
The ban was based on FIFA’s Article 13 disciplinary code. FIFA placed Rubiales on a provisional ban, and although he first declined to step down, he eventually did so in September.
In a press release sighted by 1Family Radio on Monday, Fifa declared that he had been suspended for three years for violating Article 13 of their code of conduct.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has banned Luis Rubiales… 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,” parts of the statement noted.
“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,’’ it added.
Attorneys for Rubiales have refrained from commenting on the ruling.
Source: 1Familyradio