Disgraced Spanish soccer official Luis Rubiales’ appeal against his three-year suspension for misconduct, including forcibly kissing star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the Women’s World Cup final, has been rejected. FIFA announced on Friday. FIFA’s appeals body rarely changes the verdict of the world soccer body’s disciplinary committee, but this is a necessary step to pass before taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
FIFA disciplinary judges ruled in October that Rubiales kissed Hermoso in a gesture of victory as he stood near Spain’s Queen Letizia at the trophy ceremony after Spain’s 1-0 win over England. He pointed out that he grabbed her crotch.
“FIFA reiterates its absolute commitment to respecting and protecting the integrity of all people and ensuring that the fundamental rules of decent behavior are upheld,” it said in a statement on Friday.
Rubiales resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation and vice-president of UEFA in September after being largely defiant and refusing to apologize for three weeks since the final in Sydney, Australia.
FIFA’s appeal verdict came a day after an investigative judge in Madrid said Rubiales, a former player and association leader, should stand trial on charges of sexual assault and extortion against Hermoso. He denied any wrongdoing. The judge also ruled that former Spain coach Jorge Virda and two federation officials should be tried for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to protect Rubiales.