Luis Rubiales Banned From FIFA Events for Three Years

Spain’s victory in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in August should’ve been a cause for celebration for the players and staff involved. But for player Jennifer Hermoso, it quickly got uncomfortable after Luis Rubiales, the then-chief of the Spanish soccer federation, planted an unwanted kiss on her mouth after the game. The action resulted in a three-month suspension for Rubiales and a government investigation for sexual assault; he resigned from his post a few weeks later. 

Now, soccer’s governing body is handing down Rubiales’ next punishment. FIFA announced in a statement today that Rubiales’ actions during the World Cup medal ceremony violated 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,” the organization said. The ban prevents Rubiales from attending “all football-related activities at national and international levels.” The provision allows FIFA to sanction someone if they’ve broken “the basic rules of decent conduct” or behaved “in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute.”

Rubiales’ actions led to widespread backlash across the soccer world, beginning with the Spanish women’s soccer team themselves. After Rubiales initially refused to resign, the team said they wouldn’t play again for Spain until he was fired. The entire coaching staff likewise resigned in protest, FIFA suspended him for 90 days, and Hermoso got a restraining order and filed charges against him for sexual assault. The case is still ongoing; Rubiales has denied it was an unconsensual kiss. 

In response to FIFA’s ruling, Rubiales vowed to fight for “justice” and blamed certain politicians and the media for preventing him from telling the “truth.” 

DECISIÓN FIFA:
Llegaré hasta la última instancia para que se haga justicia y resplandezca la verdad?
Por muchos esfuerzos de algunos políticos, medios e instituciones, cada vez está más clara la desproporción e injusticia cometida✅
LA GENTE, MUY MAYORITARIAMENTE, LO TIENE CLARO pic.twitter.com/3z7hKMDw2R

— Luis Rubiales (@LuisRubiales17) October 30, 2023

The three-year ban means he won’t be able to attend any events in relation to the 2026 World Cup. It remains to be seen where he stands with FIFA when the World Cup comes to Spain in 2030.