The former president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, has been unsuccessful in his appeal against a three-year ban from football-related activities imposed by FIFA.
In September, Rubiales resigned from his position following an incident where he kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory against England.
Hermoso, who later filed a legal complaint against Rubiales, asserted that the kiss was not consensual.
The ruling is subject to potential challenge before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“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.
Article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary code pertains to offensive behavior and violations of fair play principles.
On Thursday, a Spanish judge recommended that Rubiales face trial for the incident, describing the kiss as “not consensual” and characterizing it as a “unilateral and surprising initiative.”
Previously, prosecutors had charged Mr. Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion. Rubiales consistently asserted that the kiss was a “consensual peck,” but he resigned as president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) following the incident. The event sparked global outrage regarding sexism in top-tier women’s sports.
In the aftermath, World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda was dismissed in September and is currently under investigation as part of the criminal case against Rubiales.
Hermoso, who claimed her reputation was tarnished by the kiss, returned to the national side in October and scored an 89th-minute winner against Italy.