World Football Governing Body, FIFA, soccer’s has banned LUIS RUBIALES the former president of the Spanish Football Association RFEF, LUIS RUBIALES from all football-related activities for three years over his unwanted kiss on Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning star player JENIFER HERMOSO.
A statement released by FIFA on Monday said RUBIALES’ actions during the medal ceremony at the Women’s World Cup final in August was in breach of article 13 of its disciplinary code.
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, adding that the ban on RUBIALES remained subject to a possible appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
The fallout over RUBIALES’ behavior triggered a crisis in Spanish soccer and sparked condemnation in Spain and across the world. Following weeks of fierce criticism, RUBIALES resigned last month as the country’s soccer president.
RUBIALES, 46, had described the kiss as “mutual” – a claim HERMOSO denied, saying she did not consent and was not respected.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, RUBIALES refused to resign despite public outcry and protests and was given a provisional 90-day ban from football by FIFA.
Article 13 of FIFA’s disciplinary code titled “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” allows the organization to sanction anyone deemed to have violated “the basic rules of decent conduct” or behaved “in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute.”
Meanwhile, HERMOSO made a glorious return to international football last week, scoring in the 89th minute to give the world champions a 1-nil victory over Italy in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.