published on July 13, 2024 in Today

Luis Rubiales and FIFAs report: Forceful kiss on Lucy Bronze, FA hypocrisy and The

Former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales “stroked” the face of England player Laura Coombs and appeared to “forcefully kiss” team-mate Lucy Bronze, according to testimony published by FIFA from English FA chair Debbie Hewitt.

Rubiales was banned for three years by FIFA in October for his conduct at the Women’s World Cup final, where he grabbed his crotch in celebration following Spain’s win over England, before kissing Spanish player Jenni Hermoso on the lips.

But Rubiales’ behaviour towards England’s players in Sydney on August 20 was also called into question by Hewitt in testimony to FIFA’s disciplinary committee.

The committee published written reasons for Rubiales’ suspension on Wednesday, including Hewitt’s version of events, which had left her “deeply uncomfortable and embarrassed”.

A summary of Hewitt’s submission said Rubiales “shook the hand of every player and touched a few on the arm as they walked past. He then ‘cupped and stroked’ the face of the English player Laura Coombs, which (the President of The FA) thought was slightly odd and then he seemingly forcefully kissed the English player Lucy Bronze on her face”.

Rubiales, who has previously confirmed his intention to appeal his ban, said in response that it was “absolutely disgusting” that he had been depicted as “some sort of creep” for a “gentle gesture of comfort”.

He added, according to the published decision: “First Ms Coombs was injured during the final, had to receive stitches and was wearing a bandage in her head… second, Ms. Bronze not only plays in Spain, but she was also Super Cup champion in Spain just (a) few months before.”

Coombs was not injured in the final as she was an unused substitute. Alex Greenwood, though, played on wearing a bandage after a collision with Salma Paralluelo.

Rubiales accused Hewitt of “prejudice,” “hypocrisy” and “blatant lies”.

But the committee said it had “no reason to question or doubt” Hewitt’s objectivity, adding of her and another witness, New Zealand Football president Johanna Wood: “It is hard to believe that those individuals (amongst the highest ranked officials within football) would tarnish their reputation by “blatantly (lying/’ or “speak(ing) from ignorance”.

The committee noted that Rubiales — who maintains that his kiss on Hermoso was consensual — had “already expressed his deepest regret at everything that happened,” but said he could have faced “more severe sanctions” than a three-year ban for acting with “a sense of complete impunity”.

The written reasons said: “The committee could not stress enough that — regardless of the emotional state he was in during and after the match — (Rubiales’) behaviour was inexcusable and unacceptable, especially considering his high rank within the football ecosystem at the time.

“While taking into account the undeniable media impact of (Rubiales’) behaviour and its repercussions on the reputation of football as well as of FIFA, but also and more importantly, on (Hermoso’s) mental state, the committee considered that a ban for a duration of three years was justified.

“The committee wished to stress that it was tempted to impose more severe sanctions in view of the seriousness and gravity of the incidents at stake as well as of the profound negative impact that (Rubiales’) actions had on the image of FIFA, women’s football and women’s sport in general.”

The committee added that “even with strong hesitations,” it was “satisfied” that a three-year ban “would serve the necessary deterrent effect”.

FIFA’s committee said that any intention to appeal must be lodged in writing within three days of notification of the grounds of the decision.

Rubiales had said in a lengthy statement after his ban was announced: “I will go until the last resort so that justice is done and the truth shines through. Despite many efforts from some politicians, media outlets and institutions, the disproportion and injustice committed is becoming increasingly clear.”

What else did we learn?

FIFA’s report breaks down its analysis and judgement of Rubiales’ behaviour into four sections. These are termed:

The Genitals Incident – referring to how Rubiales grabbed his crotch in the VIP section of the stands when celebrating Spain’s 1-0 victory, just a few seats down from Queen Letizia and Princess Sofia of Spain.
The Carrying Incident – referring to how Rubiales lifted Spain player Athenea del Castillo over his shoulder, when down on the field during post-match celebrations
The Peck Incident – when Rubiales gave a peck on the cheek to Spain’s goalscorer Olga Carmona
The Kiss Incident – how Rubiales put his “hands on the back of (Hermoso’s) head and kissed her on the lips” when players came up onto the podium to collect their medals

Hermoso on the kiss

FIFA’s report summarises the written testimony it received from Hermoso as part of its investigation.

It says she “remembers that he hugged her tightly, that he jumped up and climbed on top of her, straddling her with his legs wide open, and she had to hold him up”.

It says she had “no indication of (Rubiales’) intentions”, adding that it was “a surprise and unexpected and unpleasant” incident that left her feeling “very embarrassed and bad”.

It says she “did not agree” to the “humiliating” kiss, that she “never gave him permission or consented to it’ and that it “was in no way mutual, nor was it consensual”.

Jenni Hermoso disputed Luis Rubiales’ insistence that the kiss was consensual (Getty Images)

The report says that, in her testimony, Hermoso “pointed out that (Rubiales) also had her by the head, locked very close to his mouth and it was him who came to her mouth to kiss her”, something that left her “in shock”.

After the kiss, according to Hermoso’s testimony as described by the report, Rubiales “insisted on talking to (Hermoso) privately”. The report says Hermoso “at the first opportunity let Mr. Rubiales know that what he had done was wrong and that there could be consequences”.

Hermoso’s account also includes details of how an “RFEF sporting director” tried to “explain (Rubiales’) behaviour from his point of view”. Hermoso is said to have told him that “she didn’t need explanations because she knew perfectly well what had happened” and “she let him know that it hadn’t been right”.

The Athletic has previously reported how Hermoso was asked to appear alongside Rubiales in a video message the former RFEF president hoped would help relieve the growing pressure he was facing over his behaviour.

Spanish prosecutors are also investigating Rubiales on potential charges of sexual assault and coercion — which Rubiales denies. Leaked testimony published in Spanish media since that investigation began has also carried details of conversations between RFEF officials, acting on Rubiales’ behalf, and Hermoso’s friends and family, including her brother Rafael.

The FIFA report also includes details of how Hermoso was approached by RFEF officials in charge of communications and media relations, and how they encouraged her to release a statement to play down the importance of the matter. It says she replied to them that they should “do whatever they want” so that they would “leave her alone”.

As previously reported by The Athletic, the RFEF did release a statement attributing quotes to Hermoso in which she appeared to make light of the situation, words which she later denied having said. The RFEF also released photos it claimed backed up Rubiales’ claim that the kiss was consensual.

The report further details how, on the flight back to Spain, Rubiales approached Hermoso himself to try and convince her to help him. According to Hermoso’s testimony, Rubiales said: “Jenni, I am a good person and have done a lot for women’s football. You are a good person too and good things happen to good people. I have my two daughters back there crying, I need you to help me, to be with me.

“You know that I have always been very good to you. Besides, we both know that we both like the same thing.” Hermoso’s testimony explained how she believed this last comment referred to her homosexuality.

Hermoso’s testimony also details how, when in Ibiza for team celebrations after winning the World Cup, Miguel Garcia Caba, who has since been removed from his position as head of integrity at the RFEF, also tried to convince her to “tell the truth”; to describe the kiss as “something natural and spontaneous”. Jorge Vilda, the then-Spain manager who is now in charge of Morocco, and Albert Luque, the former Newcastle striker who is still the RFEF’s director for Spain’s men’s national team, are also named by Hermoso as having made attempts to convince her to do this.

What did Rubiales say?

FIFA’s report notes that Rubiales “did not deny” any of the incidents occurred but that he “rather appeared to justify them”.

The report said Rubiales described his decision to lift Del Castillo over his shoulders as “nothing but a happiness expression”.

In his testimony to FIFA, he repeated his claim that Hermoso gave him consent to kiss her — which goes against what she has said.

He also said that by grabbing his genitals he only intended to, in the words of FIFA’s report, “show his support to the head coach of the women’s national team (Vilda)”.

The report also says that Rubiales characterised his “peck” on Carmona as something “common in Spanish culture”, something that “should solely be seen as a mark of appreciation following the victory”.

FIFA’s report then details its conclusions regarding each of these four incidents.

It said the genitals incident “belongs to a different period/era in Spain, probably from decades ago” and that it “cannot be associated with the current cultural context”. It added that the gesture “definitely tarnished the image of Spain and the general understanding of Spanish culture” and that it “reflects a misogynistic attitude whereby bravery and courage are defined by men’s genitals”.

It said it should be considered a “taunting gesture”, that “can only be seen as an insulting and/or offensive” and as such “undoubtedly constituted a breach” of FIFA rules that “brought the sport of football and/or Fifa into disrepute”.

FIFA’s report described the kiss on Hermoso as “completely unacceptable” and that “in no way” did “the player’s behaviour and the overall circumstances before the kiss…imply that she might consent to be kissed”.

It said: “The image of a man, president of a football association, grabbing the head of a female player and kissing her during the Women’s World Cup Final cannot be tolerated and is in total contradiction with the tournament’s aim to unite and inspire people around the world.”

The report also noted “concern” with Rubiales’ behaviour after the kiss, especially that he “never apologised to the player”, that he “does not appear to express any genuine remorse”, and has instead been “trying to hide behind an alleged ‘consent’”.

It also noted how, through the RFEF statements that followed the kiss, some of which included close frame-by-frame ‘analysis’ of still images, “it appeared clear” that Rubiales was “trying to distort reality in his favour, given that there is no image to back up such (a) position, quite the contrary”.

FIFA said its committee was “comfortably satisfied that (Rubiales)… undoubtedly tarnished the image of football and/or FIFA, bringing both into disrepute”.

When FIFA announced its decision to punish Rubiales in this way, back in October, the 46-year-old announced his intention to appeal.

Separately, as mentioned above, Spanish prosecutors are continuing to gather evidence as they consider whether his kiss on Hermoso constitutes a crime of sexual violence.

Vilda was initially called as a witness but has now also been placed under investigation for possible coercion, along with Luque, and Ruben Rivera, RFEF marketing director.

(Photo: Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images)

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