The FIFA Disciplinary Commission explained this Wednesday, in a report, the reasons for the three-year suspension of Luis Rubiales and revealed that it was tempted to impose more severe sanctions on the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
The commission’s decision was made at the end of October, culminating the disciplinary process opened against Rubiales on August 24, following the events that occurred after the final of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, in which Spain became champion by beating England.
The former president of the RFEF touched his genitals in the stands of the stadium at the end of the match and, later, during the medal ceremony, he kissed the player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth.
Initially, Rubiales was provisionally suspended for a period of 90 days and, on October 30, he received notification of the Disciplinary Commission’s decision to sanction him for three years from all activities related to national and international football.
The Commission reveals that “an attempt was made to impose more severe sanctions given the seriousness of the events in question, as well as the profound negative impact they caused.”
In reference to the non-consensual kiss with Jennifer Hermoso after the World Cup final, FIFA highlights that “the accused did not apologize to the player, neither publicly nor privately” and that he “persisted in his denial (publicly and within the scope of this procedure). ), maintaining (against the player’s unequivocal statement) that the kiss was consensual.”
According to the commission, Rubiales “publicly insulted everyone who saw this incident differently,” stating that it was “a kiss between two friends celebrating something,” and called them “idiots and stupid.”
It also highlights that “the accused used his position as president of the RFEF in an aggressive and totally inappropriate manner to publish – on behalf of the RFEF – statements with quotes from the player that were not written or authorized by her, and issued, through an official statement, a statement (which was later deleted) threatening the player (among others) with legal action.”
Furthermore, the Commission highlights that Rubiales used the general assembly of the RFEF “as a forum to defend himself and distort the reality of the kiss in his favor” and that “he could not ignore the impact of the actions of the accused on mental health.” . and the player’s career,” the latter highlighting that she still feels “truly humiliated by everything that happened and by the media exposure and public scrutiny to which she and her family were subjected.”
The Commission recalls that Hermoso “has been in contact with the psychologists of the Pachuca Club, as well as with a psychologist he trusts.”
In conclusion, FIFA says that it is firmly convinced that the accused, through his behavior, brought the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute globally and, as such, the sanctions imposed on him reflect all the aggravating circumstances. mentioned above”.
Source: TSF
