Former Spanish FA boss banned for three years after controversial kiss incident

Former president of the Spanish Football Association Luis Rubiales has been handed a three-year ban from all football-related activities by FIFA.

This decision follows a controversial incident in which Rubiales kissed forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the post-match presentation ceremony after Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win over England.

FIFA’s disciplinary code, Article 13, was cited as the basis for the ban. Rubiales was provisionally banned by FIFA, and despite initially refusing to resign from his position, he eventually stepped down in September.

The case revolved around the events during the FIFA Women’s World Cup final on August 20, 2023, for which Rubiales had been previously suspended for an initial 90-day period. FIFA confirmed that the ban resulted from this incident, and Rubiales has the option to request a motivated decision within 10 days. If requested, this decision would be subsequently published on legal.fifa.com. The decision remains subject to a possible appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.

FIFA emphasised its commitment to respecting and protecting the integrity of all individuals and ensuring that basic rules of decent conduct are upheld.