Disgraced Spanish Soccer Official Rubiales Loses Appeal Of 3-Year Ban For Misconduct | CBC Sports

Soccer

Disgraced Spanish soccer official Luis Rubiales lost his appeal against a three-year ban for misconduct at the Women’s World Cup final including forcibly kissing star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips, FIFA said Friday.

Former Spanish soccer president facing punishment for unwanted kiss at World CupThe Associated Press

· Posted: Jan 26, 2024 9:14 AM EST | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

Former Spanish soccer president Luis Rubiales, seen above in September in 2023, lost his appeal of a three-year ban for an unwanted kiss of Jenni Hermoso at the World Cup on Friday. (Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images)Disgraced Spanish soccer official Luis Rubiales lost his appeal against a three-year ban for misconduct at the Women’s World Cup final including forcibly kissing star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips, FIFA said Friday.

The FIFA appeals body rarely changes verdicts of the world soccer body’s disciplinary committee but is a necessary step to pass before taking a case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

FIFA disciplinary judges cited in their October ruling that Rubiales kissed Hermoso at the trophy ceremony after Spain’s 1-0 win over England and grabbed his crotch as a victory gesture while standing close to Queen Letizia of Spain.

Rubiales resigned as Spanish soccer federation president and as a UEFA vice president in September after three weeks of mostly defiance and refusing to apologize since the final in Sydney, Australia.

The FIFA appeal verdict came one day after an investigative judge in Madrid said Rubiales, a former player and union leader, must stand trial on charges of sexual assault and coercion against Hermoso. He has denied wrongdoing.

The judge also ruled that former Spain coach Jorge Vilda and two federation officials should be tried for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to defend Rubiales.

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