Luis Rubiales, the erstwhile president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has been handed a significant blow by FIFA's Disciplinary Committee. Rubiales, already mired in scandal following questionable behavior at the Women's World Cup final, now faces a three-year ban from all football activities, both nationally and internationally.
According to FIFA's official proclamation, the decision was made after finding Rubiales guilty of breaching article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This verdict came on the heels of a 90-day suspension given to him shortly after news of the scandal surfaced. The uproar surrounding Rubiales pivots on his behavior during the match on August 20, 2023, where Spain emerged victorious.
In the euphoria that followed Spain's triumph, cameras captured Rubiales in a series of unseemly actions. Notably, his crude celebration close to Spain's royalty, Queen Letizia, and her daughter, the Infanta Sofia. The former RFEF head was also spotted carrying Spain's Athenea del Castillo in a demeaning manner post-match.
However, the most contentious incident came to light when Rubiales was seen forcibly kissing Spain's star forward, Jenni Hermoso, during the medal ceremony. The incident, broadcasted globally, stirred a maelstrom of backlash. Hermoso later revealed her discomfort, expressing that the act was neither desired nor consensual. She also hinted at subsequent pressure from RFEF to downplay the event.
While Rubiales has consistently defended his actions as harmless and a celebratory gesture between two acquaintances, Hermoso's account directly refutes his claims. Her disclosures led to FIFA's inquiry, setting in motion the sequence of punitive actions that are still ongoing.
Amidst growing backlash and player protests, Rubiales faced mounting calls for his resignation. In his defense, he likened the mounting criticism to a "witch-hunt", asserting his victimhood. The tension came to a head with the players threatening to boycott, eventually leading to the ousting of manager Jorge Vilda - a known ally of Rubiales - and ultimately, Rubiales' own resignation on September 10.
Post FIFA's decision, Rubiales remained defiant, saying, "I will take this as far as I have to in order for justice to be done and for the truth to come out. For all the efforts of the institutions, politicians, and the media, it is ever clearer how disproportionate and unjust this is."
Simultaneously, legal authorities in Spain have turned their attention to the incident, with concerns of charging Rubiales for sexual assault arising from his interaction with Hermoso. Following the incident, Hermoso expressed feeling "vulnerable and a victim of aggression", denouncing the act as "impulsive, sexist, and non-consensual."
Spain's World Cup victory in Australia and New Zealand, which should have been a cause for national celebration, has unfortunately been overshadowed by these unsettling events. However, Hermoso showcased her resilience by bouncing back and scoring a decisive goal in Spain's recent 1-0 victory against Italy in the Nations League.
