LONDON – Disgraced former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales behaved inappropriately towards England players after the Women’s World Cup final, according to Football Association chairwoman Debbie Hewitt.
World governing body Fifa in October imposed a three-year ban from all football activities on Rubiales over his conduct at the match, which included kissing Spanish player Jenni Hermoso on her lips without her consent.
European champions England lost 1-0 to the Spaniards in the final, which was played in Sydney.
Fifa has now published its findings into the case, saying it had been tempted to impose a more severe sanction.
The Fifa disciplinary committee said Rubiales had acted with “a sense of complete impunity” at the game on Aug 20.
“The committee could not stress enough that – regardless of the emotional state he was in during and after the match – (Rubiales’) behaviour was inexcusable and unacceptable, especially considering his high rank within the football ecosystem at the time,” it said.
“The committee wished to stress that it was tempted to impose more severe sanctions in view of the seriousness and gravity of the incidents, as well as of the profound negative impact that his actions had on the image of Fifa, women’s football and women’s sport in general.”
It went on to say that, with “strong hesitations”, the committee was satisfied that a three-year ban would serve the necessary deterrent effect.
Rubiales was also seen grabbing his crotch in the VIP area after the final, next to Spain’s Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter.
Hewitt was asked to give evidence and the report includes a summary of her submission.
According to the report, she said that Rubiales “cupped and stroked” the face of England’s Laura Coombs and “seemingly forcefully kissed Lucy Bronze on her face” at the presentation ceremony.
Hewitt also said that she “felt deeply uncomfortable and embarrassed” at the way Rubiales greeted the Spanish players, which included tapping one on the bottom.
According to the report, she noted Rubiales kissing Hermoso “fully and forcibly on the mouth”.
In his response, Rubiales accused Hewitt of “blatantly” lying or “speaking from ignorance” in relation to the kiss.
He also defended himself regarding the England players, saying that Coombs had been injured and was wearing a bandage on her head, which was why he tried to comfort her.
In relation to Bronze, he said that she was Super Cup champion in Spain, implying that he knew the Barcelona defender well enough.
Rubiales, who resigned from his position in September after initially vowing not to stand down, indicated his intention to appeal against his three-year ban on the day it was issued.
Five days after resigning as Spain’s football chief, he also appeared before a judge investigating a complaint of sexual assault over the Hermoso incident.
Rubiales has repeatedly insisted the kiss was consensual.
AFP, REUTERS
