Luis Rubiales banned by FIFA for 3 years over unsolicited kiss with player

• Luis Rubiales has been banned 3 years by FIFA.
• Rubiales faces a potential trial for coercion.
• Spanish Football Federation president was also fired.

FIFA’s Appeal Committee has confirmed that Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), will be banned from all football-related activities for three years due to his unsolicited kiss with Spain’s footballer Jennifer Hermoso.

“Amongst other considerations, the appeal committee was comfortably satisfied that Mr. Rubiales behaved in a manner contrary to the principles enshrined under article 13 of the Fifa disciplinary code during and after the final of the Fifa Women’s World Cup,” a statement from world football’s governing body read.

Rubiales was called out by many top footballers and other top officials, including the Spanish government, after he kissed Hermoso during the presentation ceremony after the Spanish women’s football team won their maiden Women’s World Cup after beating England 1-0 in Australia.

Rubiales initially insisted that the kiss was consensual but later apologized for his actions. The chief was first placed on a provisional suspension by FIFA, which was then followed by a three-year ban from the sport, which he eventually challenged.

Along with three other coaches, Jorge Vilda was fired by the organization for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to claim the kiss was consensual.

On Thursday, a Spanish court suggested that Rubiales be put on trial for coercion and sexual assault. According to Judge Francisco de Jorge of Spain’s highest criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional, the kiss “was not consensual and was a unilateral and unexpected move” by Rubiales.

It must be noted that the Hermoso incident was not the first time Rubiales did something that was way out of line as he is said to have harassed and humiliated his female colleague in the past.

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