Rubiales Banned From Football Activities Over Hermoso Case By Fifa

FIFA have confirmed that former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president, Luis Rubiales, has been banned from all football-related activities for three years. The ban comes after Rubiales was accused of sexually assaulting Spanish striker, Jenni Hermoso, following Spain’s FIFA Women’s World Cup triumph in August.

An investigation was launched after Hermoso filed a legal complaint alleging Rubiales forcibly kissed her without consent after the final whistle of the World Cup final. She also accused the former RFEF president of attempting to coerce her into making a public statement to reduce scrutiny of him. Rubiales appeared in court in Madrid last month to respond to the charges of sexual assault and coercion.

Amidst the ongoing legal proceedings, Rubiales was also being investigated by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for breaching Article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code relating to general rules of conduct. FIFA have now concluded this investigation and upheld a three-year ban from all football activities at domestic and international level.

In a statement, FIFA said, “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.”

Rubiales was initially suspended for 90 days after the allegations first emerged. He resigned from his position as RFEF president in September. FIFA notified Rubiales of the ban on Monday, which he has 10 days to appeal. However, FIFA reiterated their “absolute commitment to respecting and protecting the integrity of all people.”