FIFA Confirms Luis Rubiales' Three-Year Ban for Inappropriate World Cup Kiss

Barcelona (AFP) - FIFA has officially confirmed the three-year ban imposed on former Spanish football chief, Luis Rubiales, after rejecting his appeal. Rubiales was found guilty of violating the principles outlined in the FIFA disciplinary code.

In August, after the Women's World Cup final in Sydney, Rubiales kissed Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso against her will. He is now set to face trial in Spain for this incident.

Rubiales has denied that the kiss was forced and may still choose to appeal his worldwide ban from "football-related activities" at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

FIFA initially provisionally suspended Rubiales and then imposed a three-year ban in October. Rubiales filed an appeal against the ban, which has since been rejected.

Spain's victory in the Women's World Cup, their first in history, was marred by Rubiales' inappropriate behavior and the subsequent fallout.

Rubiales faced increasing global pressure to step down from his position, but he resisted doing so for three weeks. During this period, several players went on strike against the Spanish football federation until significant changes were made.

As a result, coach Jorge Vilda was dismissed by the federation. He, along with three others, faces charges of coercion, accused of pressuring Hermoso to state that the kiss was consensual.

A Spanish judge recently proposed that Rubiales should be tried on charges of sexual assault and coercion.

Judge Francisco de Jorge of Spain's Audiencia Nacional top criminal court determined that the kiss "was not consensual and was a unilateral and unexpected move" by Rubiales.