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World football governing body FIFA has banned Spanish FA president, Luis Rubiales, from all football-related activities for three months over allegations of an unwanted kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s women won the World Cup.
FIFA made this known in a statement on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
It noted that Rubiales’ suspension from national and international activities was with immediate effect.
FIFA had opened disciplinary measures against Rubiales on Thursday over his actions on Sunday in Sydney.
He said he would defend himself to prove his “complete innocence”.
Rubiales, 46, has been defiant over the kiss which has been condemned as unwanted by Hermoso, her teammates, and the Spanish government, arguing it was consensual.
Earlier on Saturday the Spanish federation he heads had said it would stick by him.
After the FIFA statement, a spokesperson for the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said: “We respect all the pronouncements of FIFA.”
In a statement through the federation, Rubiales said: “Luis Rubiales has stated that he will legally defend himself in the competent bodies.”