MOSCOW, October 30. /TASS/. The Disciplinary Committee of the world’s governing football body, FIFA, has ruled to impose a three-year ban against Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), FIFA said in a statement on Monday.
"The FIFA 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, having found that he acted in breach of article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code," the statement reads.
FIFA Disciplinary Code Article 13 stipulates punishing offensive behavior of football players and officials. In particular, it refers to violations of codes of conduct, which tarnishes the image of the sport of football.
The document continued that: "This case relates to the events that occurred during the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on 20 August 2023, for which Rubiales had been provisionally suspended for an initial period of 90 days."
"Rubiales has been notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today," the statement continued. "In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, he has ten days in which to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, would subsequently be published."
"The decision remains subject to a possible appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee. 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.
In the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Spanish national team defeated England 1-0. At the awarding ceremony for the new world champions Rubiales put a medal around the neck of Spanish midfielder Jennifer Hermoso and then kissed her on the lips.
Following that incident the FIFA Disciplinary Committee recommended on August 26 to relieve Rubiales of his duties as the RFEF president and on September 10 he submitted a letter of resignation.
On September 15, Rubiales testified in a Spanish court regarding the so-called kiss incident and the court issued a restraining order against him, ruling that he stay a distance not less than 200 meters (some 656 feet) from Hermoso and not have any personal contact with her pending further legal action.