30 October 2023 , 11:15
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Former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has been hit with a three-year ban after kissing Jenni Hermoso during the World Cup final.
The 46-year-old grabbed the striker during the post-match celebrations after their win against England. She confirmed the kiss was not consensual, with the incident garnering widespread criticism as Rubiales faced calls to resign - including from the Spanish government.
He was expected to leave by holding a press conference but instead launched into a bizarre tirade by reaffirming his intention to remain in post. Rubiales eventually left and was initially handed a 90-day provisional suspension by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
He will now be unable to work within the game until at least 2026 after FIFA's latest decision. A statement on Monday confirmed his punishment. It read: "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has banned Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), 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.
"This case relates to the events that occurred during the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on 20 August 2023, for which Mr Rubiales had been provisionally suspended for an initial period of 90 days.
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"Mr Rubiales has been notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, he has ten days in which to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, would subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com.
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"The decision remains subject to a possible appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee. 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."
Rubiales also acted as UEFA vice-president ahead of his September resignation. His ban comes amid a dream return to the Spanish fold for Hermoso. She had not represented her nation since the summer's success against England.
She was recalled for Friday's UEFA Nations League clash with Italy and ended up scoring a last-gasp winner. Members of the side had previously threatened a boycott amid the furore surrounding Rubiales and the governing body's hierarchy.
Players in the men's side - including Borja Iglesias and former Arsenal star Hector Bellerin - stated they would not play for the country in support of their compatriots. Meanwhile, his mum, Angeles Bejar, staunchly defended Rubiales and even went on a hunger strike by locking herself in a local church.