DISGRACED Luis Rubiales “forcefully” kissed Lionesses star Lucy Bronze and “cupped and stroked” the face of Laura Coombs, the head of the FA said. The Spanish FA chief, 46, was banned from football for three years in October after his “inexcusable” behaviour at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales was banned from football for three years in OctoberCredit: Getty
England’s Lucy Bronze during the Women’s World Cup final in SydneyCredit: Getty
Luis Rubiales ‘cupped and stroked’ England’s Laura Coombs’ faceCredit: Getty
Luis Rubiales embracing FA chair Debbie Hewitt after the finalCredit: Getty
He kissed Spain’s midfielder Jenni Hermoso without her consent after Spain beat England 1-0 – and was also seen grabbing his crotch while celebrating the win.
In written evidence to Fifa’s disciplinary committee, FA chair Debbie Hewitt said Rubiales was “unpleasant and unnecessarily aggressive” while waiting in the tunnel for the medal ceremony.
Hewitt said he initially “shook the hand of every player and touched a few on the arm as they walked past”.
But he “seemingly forcefully kissed” England defender Lucy Bronze on her face and “cupped and stroked” teammate Laura Coombs’ face, Hewitt said.
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She told the Fifa committee that she found his behaviour “odd”.
After he finished greeting the England players, Hewitt said Rubiales “became more boisterous” among the Spanish players.
“He was tactile with almost all of them, kissing most on the cheek, and giving some multiple kisses in quick succession and holding them very tightly,” she said.
“He rubbed some on their back, tapped one on her bottom, grabbed some by their arm, lifted several off their feet, and one was hoisted twice.
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“In most cases, Rubiales initiated the hugs and physical contact. The hugs were reciprocated but the kisses weren’t.
“It appeared some players moved their heads to avoid the kissing.”
Hewitt added that there was “no evidence to suggest this kiss was consensual” when Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips.
Rubiales had “brought the Fifa organisation and the World Cup ceremony into disrepute by behaving in such a way on this global state”, she said.
“He has taken away the focus on what should have been the positive and joyous celebrations of the Spanish team and he has instead stubbornly and repeatedly tried to blame the player,” she said.
Rubiales told Fifa’s disciplinary committee that Hewitt portraying him as “some sort of creep” is “absolutely disgusting”.
He said he read the evidence “with absolute dismay”.
Rubiales claimed he was trying to “comfort” Coombs after she was injured during the match and was wearing a bandage at the time.
Coombs did not play for England in the final, having been an unused substitute.
It also emerged the Fifa committee considered tougher sanctions.
In the written grounds of its decision, it said Rubiales’ behaviour was “inexcusable and unacceptable, especially considering his high rank within the football ecosystem at the time”.
Rubiales was banned from football for breaching article 13 of Fifa’s disciplinary code, which relates to “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play”.
He began his career as a Spanish football official in 2010 and elected as president of the Association of Spanish Footballers.
He went on to become president of the Spanish Football Federation, a role which he stepped down from in September 2023.
Rubiales sparked outrage when he kissed Spain’s Hermoso without her consent.
Striker Hermoso lodged a sexual assault complaint in person at the State Attorney General’s Office following the incident.
She described the kiss as ”an impulsive, sexist act, out of place and without any type of consent on my part”.
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The Sun has contacted the FA for comment.
Luis Rubiales quit over criticism for kissing Spain forward Jenni HermosoCredit: Getty
Rubiales carrying Spain’s Athenea del Castillo Beivide on his shoulder as they celebrate winning the World CupCredit: AFP More
