Image Credit: Ministerio de la Presidencia
Disgraced former RFEF boss Luis Rubiales has been banned from football for three years after kissing Spain's Jenni Hermoso without her consent. FIFA's disciplinary committee ruled that Rubiales breached article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary code when he kissed Hermoso on the lips after she collected her winner's medal following Spain's victory over England in Sydney.
This incident led to a mass walkout by Spanish players and backroom staff. Rubiales, who consistently refused to accept wrongdoing, even when resigning as RFEF president, has now received a three-year ban that prevents him from football involvement until 2026, with a right to appeal.
A criminal investigation in Spain is ongoing, as prosecutors filed Hermoso's initial complaint of sexual assault and added one of coercion relating to alleged pressure on the player to defend Rubiales against the backlash. Former Spain head coach Jorge Vilda, under investigation as part of the case against Rubiales, was sacked last month but has controversially landed a new job as head coach of Morocco's women's national team
