(Madrid) FIFA confirmed on Friday the three-year suspension of the former boss of the Spanish federation Luis Rubiales for his forced kiss in August of player Jenni Hermoso which caused international indignation.
“After analyzing the arguments presented to it”, the FIFA appeal committee decided to “reject” Luis Rubiales’ appeal and “confirm the sanction” which was “imposed” on him, announced the sports body in a short press release.
This decision may be the subject of a new appeal “before the Court of Arbitration for Sport”, however specifies FIFA, which says it is determined “to protect the integrity of all people and to ensure that the basic rules of decent conduct are respected.
The international football body announced on October 30 the suspension for three years of all football-related activities of the former strongman of Spanish football, initially suspended for a provisional period of 90 days.
FIFA specifically accused him of having violated article 13 of its Disciplinary Code, entitled “Offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play”, and citing among other examples “the violation of the basic rules of decency » or “behavior damaging the image of football”.
Luis Rubiales, who has denied since the beginning of the affair any “sexual connotation” to his gesture, claiming to have acted out of “emotion” and in “a moment of happiness”, immediately announced his intention to appeal .
FIFA’s announcement comes as the Spanish investigating judge in charge of the investigation into this case requested on Thursday the referral to court of the former boss of Spanish football, considering that the kiss had “not been consented.”
PHOTO PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jennifer Hermoso
This judge – who indicted Rubiales for “sexual assault” and the offense of “coercion” – does not specify in his order the offenses for which he must be tried, because it will be up to the prosecution to do so before the opening of a trial .
Since a recent reform of the Spanish Penal Code, a non-consensual kiss can be considered sexual assault, a criminal category bringing together all types of sexual violence. According to the prosecution, the penalties incurred by Rubiales can range from a fine to four years in prison.
Luis Rubiales’ gesture, which occurred on August 20, a few minutes after the world coronation of the women’s “Roja” in Sydney, provoked international indignation. Under pressure, Mr. Rubiales ended up resigning on September 10, saying he was the victim of a “disproportionate campaign”.