RFEF Ex-President Rubiales Banned by FIFA for 3 Years

In a major development, the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales has been banned from all football-related activities at national and international levels for three years.

This ban was imposed by the Federation Internationale De Football Association (FIFA) Disciplinary Committee after determining that his conduct at the Women’s World Cup final on August 20, 2023, where he kissed player, Jenni Hermoso, violated Article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The said provision deals with offensive behaviour and violation of principles of fair play.

Days after the incident, disciplinary proceedings were instituted against Rubiales, who was also handed a provisional suspension for 90 days while the said proceedings were underway. In the following month, he resigned from his position as RFEF President.

As per the provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, Rubiales has 10 days’ time to request for a “motivated decision”, and any failure to do so will render the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision final and binding.