Kiss: FIFA suspends Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities

FIFA on Saturday, August 26, suspended Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales after constituting a disciplinary committee to investigate his conduct at the Women’s World Cup final, which includes kissing player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s victory.

Rubiales had also been filmed grabbing his crotch in an aggressive celebration at the full-time whistle.

Report of his suspension is coming after a tumultuous Friday in which he refused to resign and sought to cast himself as the victim, prompting Hermoso to stress that she did not consent to the kiss and the women’s team to announce that they would not take part in national matches until the federation changes its leadership.

FIFA announced that Luis Rubiales would immediately be suspended “from all football-related activities at national and international level” for an “initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings” that were opened against him earlier this week.

FIFA’s disciplinary judge, Jorge Palacio also said that “in order to preserve, among other factors, the fundamental rights” of Hermoso, Rubiales was also ordered “to refrain, through himself or third parties, from contacting or attempting to contact” her and those close to her.

The suspension will stop Rubiales, who is UEFA’s vice president as well, from working in soccer or having contact with other officials. Rubiales has been leading the joint bid by Spain, Portugal, Morocco and possibly Ukraine, to host the 2030 World Cup. The suspension means that he cannot attend UEFA meetings or vote in October to decide the winning bids for the 2028 and 2032 European Championships.

Reacting to the suspension, Spanish football federation (RFEF) said Rubiales would “legally defend himself”.

The RFEF added;

“He fully trusts FIFA and reiterates that, in this way, he is given the opportunity to begin his defence so that the truth prevails and his complete innocence is proven.” 

The statement added that Vice President Pedro Rocha Junco has taken on the role of interim president while Rubiales is suspended.