FIFA Ban Upheld: Rubiales' Appeal Dismissed by CAS

The Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed an appeal by Luis Rubiales against his three-year ban for kissing player Jenni Hermoso. Rubiales was convicted of sexual assault, fined over $10,000, and prohibited from contacting Hermoso. FIFA banned him until after the 2026 World Cup.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected former Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales' appeal regarding his FIFA-imposed three-year ban for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent during the 2023 Women's World Cup ceremony.

This decision from the world’s top sports court came promptly after Rubiales was found guilty of sexually assaulting Hermoso. Following the conviction, Rubiales was fined over 10,000 euros and ordered to maintain a distance of at least 200 meters from Hermoso, as well as to refrain from any communication with her for a year.

FIFA had initially banned Rubiales in October 2023, restricting his involvement in soccer activities until the conclusion of the men’s 2026 World Cup. CAS confirmed that Rubiales' actions constituted serious breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and affirmed that the sanctions were appropriate.