Rubiales Gets a Three-Year Ban from FIFA: He Plans to Fight It
Luis Rubiales, the former head of the Spanish Football Association, has been banned from all football-related activities for three years by FIFA. This follows his actions during the FIFA Women’s World Cup final on August 20, 2023. After Spain beat England, Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips. Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual. Rubiales faced a lot of pressure but didn’t quit right away. He finally stepped down last month. FIFA’s ban is punishment for breaking their rules.
What Happened and Why FIFA Acted
FIFA’s disciplinary committee decided on the three-year ban because Rubiales broke their code of conduct during the World Cup final. After the kiss, he was banned for 90 days. Another moment that caught criticism was when he grabbed his crotch while celebrating with Spain’s Queen Letizia and Princess Infanta Sofia in the VIP area in Sydney.
FIFA said Rubiales was informed about the ban. He now has 10 days to ask for a detailed explanation, which could be posted on FIFA’s legal site. He can also appeal to FIFA’s Appeal Committee.
Public Outrage and Apology
The kiss and Rubiales’ behavior upset a lot of people. He apologized in a video at first but later said the kiss was consensual when he spoke to Spain’s football officials. Because of his stance, all the female players from Spain’s World Cup-winning team said they wouldn’t play while Rubiales was in charge. His refusal to resign led to the FIFA ban and he finally quit on September 10.
Things got really serious when Hermoso filed a complaint, which resulted in a sexual assault charge against Rubiales. Even after resigning, he didn’t apologize to Hermoso and insisted that the kiss was okay.
Rubiales’ Response and What’s Next
Luis Rubiales, who was also vice-president of UEFA, said he plans to fight FIFA’s decision. He posted on social media about wanting to prove his innocence. I will go to the last resort to make sure justice is done and the truth comes out, he said.
This controversy has had a huge impact on Spanish football. The situation is still developing as FIFA’s decision remains a hot topic.
