Kiss: FIFA bans Spanish football head Rubiales for 3 years
FIFA banned Luis Rubiales, the former head of the Spanish Football Federation, from all “football-related” activities for the next three years on Monday, after he spent weeks under fire over the summer for kissing a Spanish soccer player when she says he didn’t have her consent.
soccer activity at the national and international levels, was given a 90-day temporary suspension by FiFA after the incident first happened.
FIFA said Rubiales violated article 13 of its disciplinary code, which is titled “offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play.”
The soccer organization reiterated “its absolute commitment to respecting and protecting the integrity of all people” and noted the decision is “subject to a possible appeal.”
Rubiales kissed Spanish soccer player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips as he held her head with both hands during a post-game celebration after the women’s soccer team won their August 20 game.
The kiss sparked near-immediate condemnation from soccer players and social media users alike. Rubiales initially apologized for his behavior and said it was done “without any intention in a moment of the highest exuberance.”
For days, he faced widespread calls for his resignation, but he claimed he was the victim of a witch hunt by “false feminists.”
The outrage led FIFA to issue its temporary suspension of Rubiales from all FIFA activities and also led the Royal Spanish Football Federation to launch an international investigation into the matter. Spanish prosecutors later accused Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion.
Eventually, Rubiales resigned through a post on X, writing that he and his family “suffered the effects of persecution.”
His resignation did not include an apology. Days later Rubiales was given a restraining order by a judge in Spain who said the former soccer chief could not go within 200 meters of Hermoso.
Credit: Forbes
