Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales behaved inappropriately towards England players after the Women’s World Cup final, according to Football Association chairwoman Debbie Hewitt.
Rubiales was banned from all football activities for three years by FIFA in October for his actions during the match, which included kissing Spanish player Jenni Hermoso without her consent.
England, the European champions, were defeated 1-0 in the final in Sydney.
FIFA has finally released its conclusions in the case, stating that it was tempted to impose a harsher sentence.
The FIFA disciplinary committee stated that Rubiales acted with “complete impunity” during the game on August 20.
“The committee could not stress enough that, regardless of the emotional state he was in during and after the match, Rubiales’ behavior was inexcusable and unacceptable, especially considering his high rank within the football ecosystem at the time,” it said.
Hewitt was called to testify, and the report includes a summary of her testimony.
According to the report, Hewitt stated that the Spaniard “cupped and stroked” the face of England’s Laura Coombs and “seemingly forcefully kissed Lucy Bronze on her face” at the presentation ceremony.
Hewitt added she “felt deeply uncomfortable and embarrassed” at the way Rubiales greeted the Spanish players, which included tapping one on the bottom.
According to the report, she also stated that Rubiales kissed Hermoso “fully and forcibly on the mouth.”
Responding to the allegations, Rubiales accused Hewitt of “blatantly” lying or “speaking from ignorance” in relation to the kiss.
The former Spanish football chief, who resigned in September after first promising not to resign, stated his intention to challenge the ban on the day it was granted.
He appeared before a court hearing a sexual assault charge stemming from the Hermoso incident five days after resigning as Spain’s football boss.
He has frequently stated that the kiss was mutual.
