The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected former Spanish football administrator Luis Rubiales's appeal on Friday regarding his disqualification from football-related activities for non-consensually kissing player Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 Women's World Cup final.
FIFA imposed a three-year ban on Rubiales in October 2023, which was upheld when he appealed in January last year. Rubiales, aged 47, subsequently took his case to CAS, the highest sports tribunal.
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The CAS panel concluded that his conduct during the awards ceremony "constituted multiple and serious violations of the FIFA Disciplinary Code" and validated the punishment as appropriate.
"The appeal sought to set the contested decision aside, or in the alternative to set it partially aside and amend the sanction, or in the further alternative, apply any other disciplinary measures," stated CAS in their announcement.
"The appeal by Mr Rubiales is dismissed and the contested decision is maintained."
In a separate development on Thursday, the Spanish High Court found Rubiales liable for sexual assault over the non-consensual kiss and ordered him to pay a fine exceeding €10,000 ($10,454).
The verdict additionally barred Rubiales, who previously led the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), from approaching within 200 metres of Hermoso.
