FORMER Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales has been banned from national and international football activities for three years, it was announced at the end of October 2023.
The decision came a month after Rubiales stepped down from his role as Spanish FA chief, a move which was prompted by the world's reaction to him kissing player Jenni Hermoso after Spain's Women’s World Cup win.
Why has Luis Rubiales been banned?
Luis Rubiales was banned by football's world governing body, Fifa, for breaching article 13 of its disciplinary code.
The article in question relates to "offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play".
Fifa confirmed on October 30, 2023, that Rubiales was banned from all football-related activities at national and international levels for three years.
It was also confirmed in a statement that Rubiales' case "relates to the events that occurred during the final of the Fifa Women’s World Cup on August 20, 2023".
Fifa added in their statement that it has "absolute commitment to respecting and protecting the integrity of all people and ensuring that the basic rules of decent conduct are upheld".
Who is Luis Rubiales?
Rubiales is a former football player who was born August 23, 1977, in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.
He played as a defender and represented many Spanish teams throughout his career, including Guadix CF, RCD Mallorca B, UE Lleida, Xerez CD, Levante UD, and Alicante CF.
In 2010, Rubiales began his career as a Spanish football official and was elected as president of the Association of Spanish Footballers.
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He went on to become president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, a role which he stepped down from in September 2023.
What happened with Jenni Hermoso?
Rubiales sparked outrage when he kissed Spanish football player Jenni Hermoso without her consent following Spain's win at the 2023 Women's World Cup.
Following the incident, striker Hermoso lodged a sexual assault complaint in person at the State Attorney General's Office.
She described the kiss as ''an impulsive, sexist act, out of place and without any type of consent on my part.''
Rubiales was also criticised for grabbing his crotch as he celebrated Spain's World Cup win while the country's Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter, Sofía, were nearby.
What has Luis Rubiales said?
After announcing his resignation, Rubiales promised to "defend his innocence".
After news of him stepping down broke, Rubiales wrote on social media: "I will defend my honour. I will defend my innocence.
"I have faith in the future. I have faith in the truth.
"Thanks everyone."
Following the news of his three-year ban, Rubiales took to social media once again to state that he will appeal the ban.
"I will go to the last resort to see that justice is done and that the truth shines through," he said.
Is Luis Rubiales married and does he have children?
Rubiales shares three daughters with his ex-wife, Spanish lawyer Maria Manuela Delicado Vega.
The former couple's eldest daughter is called Lucia and is a History of Art student.
Their second daughter Ana has been described as an "activist" by her father and "someone with an amazing intelligence".
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Little is known about Rubiales' third daughter, Elena, however, the ages of the three women are believed to be 20, 17, and around 15.
In an interview with presenter Risto Mejide, the former footballer described his daughters as "strong", saying they are "stronger than [him]".
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