FIFA Considered Imposing Harsher Penalties On Spain’s ex-FA Head

Summary:

• Spain’s ex-FA Head Luis Rubiales was issued a 3 year ban by FIFA preventing him from engaging in any football activities
• Rubiales was banned after he forcefully kissed Spanish player Jenni Hermoso
• England’s Football Association also alleged that he misbehaved with their players

Spain’s ex-FA Head Luis Rubiales hogged the headlines after Spain won the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Rubiales was in the news after Spanish player Jenni Hermoso admitted on social media that she felt violated when Rubiales forcefully kissed her on the podium.

Rubiales initially stated that there was nothing to the kiss and it was just part of the celebration and elation of winning the World Cup. However, he copped massive flak in Spain and on social media for misusing his position to take advantage of Hermoso.

FIFA Considered More Stringent Punishment

Rubiales initially refused to yield to pressure and resign from his position saying he had done nothing wrong but finally resigned due to mounting pressure from the media. Rubiales stepped down after his family convinced him it was the right thing for him to do.

FIFA followed up and issued a 3 year ban preventing the disgraced Rubiales from engaging in any football related activities.

Rubiales is once again in the news this week after FIFA released a written report on Dec 6 on the reasons why it decided to issue a 3 year ban.

The FIFA report said

The disciplinary committee wished to stress that it was tempted to impose more severe sanctions in view of the seriousness and gravity of the incidents at stake as well as of the profound negative impact that the respondent’s actions had on the image of FIFA, women’s football and women’s sport in general

Rubiales Misbehaved With English Players

England lost to Spain in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. England’s Football Association also sent a report to FIFA alleging that Rubiales also misbehaved with their players.

The FA report from England’s President Debbie Hewitt said Rubiales stroked and cupped Laura Coomb’s face and went on to forcefully kiss Lucy Bronze. The FIFA report also highlights the response Rubiales gave to these allegations.

Rubiales through his representative claims that Hewitt has tried to paint him as a creep and had left out key facts from her report.