FIFA is seeking a 15-year ban for Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Association (FA), after the Spanish federation withdrew their support for him.
The Spanish FA had initially asked Rubiales to resign due to his “unacceptable” behavior, which they claimed harmed the image of Spanish football. In response to FIFA’s threat of banning Spain’s national teams and elite clubs from international competition, the Spanish FA reversed their stance and requested Rubiales’ resignation.
Sources familiar with the disciplinary process have revealed that FIFA is pushing for the maximum 15-year ban, as permitted by their statutes. Rubiales had received a 90-day interim suspension from FIFA but maintained the support of the Spanish FA while an internal investigation was conducted into his actions, including kissing Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s World Cup final victory over England.
However, following a five-hour meeting, the Spanish FA announced that they now want Rubiales to step down. Rubiales’ suspension was accompanied by a controversial move to write to UEFA, complaining of government interference and requesting the federation’s suspension. This request was rejected by UEFA, as Rubiales had been replaced by an interim president.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee had gathered witness statements before imposing Rubiales’ suspension from all football-related activities at the national and international level. FIFA holds the authority to ban him from any involvement in football for up to 15 years. Such a ban would have also affected all Spanish national teams and clubs in FIFA-affiliated competitions if not accepted by the Spanish FA.
