FIFA has suspended former president of the Spanish Football Federation

Luis Rubiales, from involvement in sports for three years due to improper conduct during the Women's World Cup final when he forcibly kissed a player on the lips during the award ceremony.

FIFA did not disclose details of the verdict issued by the Disciplinary Committee judges, who investigated charges related to "fundamental principles of decent conduct" and "behavior that damages the reputation of football and/or FIFA."

Rubiales is also facing criminal investigation in Spain for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after the team's victory over England with a score of 1-0 on August 20 in Sydney, Australia. He has denied any wrongdoing to a judge in Madrid who issued a restraining order preventing Rubiales from contacting Hermoso.

During the final whistle in Sydney, Rubiales grabbed himself in a victory gesture in an exclusive area where he was standing alongside Queen Letizia of Spain and 16-year-old Princess Sofia.

Rubiales was suspended from his position by FIFA judges during the investigation, and they also cited a third incident, "the carrying of Spanish player Aitana del Castillo on his shoulder during post-match celebrations," in the ruling explaining why he was temporarily suspended.

The risk of witness tampering by Rubiales and his allies was also cited as a reason for the temporary ban, which is now confirmed to extend to the next Men's World Cup in 2026, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Rubiales left his football job in September after three weeks of defiance, increasing pressure from the Spanish government and the national team players.

"After my quick removal from FIFA and other cases brought against me, it became clear that I couldn't return to this position," Rubiales said on September 10, definitively resigning from the federation presidency, a position he had held since 2018.

Rubiales also had to relinquish his role as vice-president of the European football organization UEFA, which paid him 250,000 euros ($265,000) annually. UEFA later thanked Rubiales for his service in a statement.

When Rubiales resigned, which was coordinated with an interview with the British cable news channel, he noted that he did not want to distract from Spain's bid to host the 2030 Men's World Cup as part of a project supported by UEFA with Portugal and Morocco.

That bid has since been selected by FIFA as the sole candidate for the 2030 tournament, a plan that now includes former rivals Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Rubiales can request detailed information on FIFA's disciplinary verdict within 10 days, and then he can appeal, according to the world football organization. He can also file further appeals with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.