FIFA dismisses Rubiales' appeal against three-year ban for World Cup kiss.

FIFA's appeal committee confirmed Luis Rubiales' three-year ban on Friday, rejecting an appeal by the former head of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Rubiales was banned from all football-related activities for three years on October 30 after kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips, allegedly without her consent, after Spain's Women's World Cup final victory over England in August.

FIFA stated that it had reached a decision after conducting a hearing. However, the decision can still be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"The Appeal Committee was comfortably satisfied that Mr Rubiales behaved in a manner contrary to the principles enshrined under article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code during and after the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup," FIFA said.

FIFA confirmed that Rubiales had been notified of the decision.

The 46-year-old resigned in September, stating that his position at the RFEF had become untenable. He had initially refused to step down, despite pressure from players, politicians, and women's groups.

A Spanish High Court judge proposed on Thursday that Rubiales face trial for the kiss, stating that the investigation revealed the kiss "was not consensual and was a unilateral and surprising initiative."

SportsLigue