FIFA: three-year suspension of Luis Rubiales confirmed by the Appeal Committee

"After analysing the submissions presented to it and conducting a hearing, the Appeal Committee decided to dismiss the appeal, and to confirm the sanction imposed upon Mr Luis Rubiales," announced FIFA on 26/01/2024.

Luis Rubiales, former president of the Real Federacion Espanola de Futbol (RFEF), was found guilty of breaching article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and was banned by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee from all football-related activities at national and international level for a period of three years, expiring on 30/10/2023.

Disciplinary proceedings were opened against him by FIFA on 24/08/2023 after he forcibly kissed Spain striker Jennifer Hermoso during the presentation of the Women's World Cup 2023 trophy to La Roja on 20/08/2023, as well as behaving in an inappropriate manner in the official stand during the match. These proceedings initially resulted in a provisional suspension of 90 days from 26/08/2023, before Luis Rubiales finally resigned from his position within the RFEF on 10/09/2023.

"The decision remains subject to a possible appeal before the Court of…