Spanish soccer official who kissed unwilling star player is banned for three years

By GRAHAM DUNBAR
AP Sports Writer

GENEVA (AP) — The Spanish soccer official who provoked a players’ rebellion and a reckoning on gender when he kissed an unwilling star player on the lips is banned for three years by the sport’s global governing body. Luis Rubiales is excluded from working anywhere in soccer until after the men’s 2026 World Cup. His ban will expire before the next women’s tournament in 2027. His bigger problem is a criminal investigation in Spain for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips after the team’s 1-0 victory over England in Sydney at the Women’s World Cup final trophy ceremony. Spanish state prosecutors have formally accused Rubiales of sexual assault and an act of coercion. According to Hermoso, Rubiales pressured her to speak out in his defense as the post-match incidents became a global furor.