Former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales has had his appeal against a three-year worldwide football ban rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), just one day after being found guilty of sexually assaulting Spain women's national team player Jenni Hermoso.
The ban, which will remain in effect until autumn 2026, stems from Rubiales' non-consensual kiss of Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain's victory at the 2023 Women's World Cup. CAS upheld FIFA's original disciplinary decision, stating that Rubiales' actions "constituted multiple and serious violations of the FIFA Disciplinary Code."
In a related criminal case, Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault but avoided prison time. Instead, he was ordered to pay a fine exceeding €10,000 (£8,284/$10,464) and must maintain a distance of at least 100 meters from Hermoso for one year. While he was cleared of coercion charges related to allegations of pressuring Hermoso to downplay the incident, prosecutors had initially sought a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence.
The CAS ruling was unequivocal in its dismissal of Rubiales' appeal. According to their statement, the former Spanish football president had sought to either overturn the decision entirely or obtain a reduced sanction. However, the court maintained the original punishment, declaring "the appeal by Mr Rubiales is dismissed and the contested decision is maintained."
Despite having already served approximately half of his ban, Rubiales' future in football remains uncertain. The former RFEF president, who initially resisted calls to resign and has consistently denied wrongdoing throughout the controversy, will be prohibited from any involvement in organized football until after the 2026 men's World Cup. However, given his conviction as a sex offender, it remains to be seen whether any reputable football organization would be willing to associate with him once the suspension expires. Reports indicate that Rubiales intends to appeal his conviction.
