FIFA has banned former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales for three years following his forced kiss on the lips of World Cup champion Jenni Hermoso.
Rubiales was suspended from football activities for 90 days by FIFA following his uninvited kiss during the medal ceremony after Spain won the Women’s World Cup in Sydney in August.
The football governing body announced on Monday that Rubiales would now be banned from all football activity for three years.
Speaking on the kiss incident, Hermoso stated that she felt “vulnerable and like the victim of an assault”, in a statement on social media, describing it as “an impulsive, macho act, out of place, and with no type of consent on my part”.
Rubiales, who said the kiss was mutual, resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation in September.
However, in a statement, FIFA noted that its “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.”
The football governing body also stated that Rubiales had been notified of the decision on Monday and had 10 days to request a so-called motivated decision, which, if requested, would be published on FIFA’s legal website.
“The decision remains subject to a possible appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee,” the statement said.
“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 statement added.
