Audio By Carbonatix
Ex-Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has lost his appeal against a three-year ban from football-related activities by Fifa.
Rubiales stepped down from his role in September after kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's Women's World Cup final win against England.
Hermoso, who later filed a legal complaint against Rubiales, said the kiss was not consensual.
The decision could be challenged before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"Amongst other considerations, 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," a statement from world football's governing body read.
Article 13 of the Fifa disciplinary code relates to offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play.
On Thursday, a Spanish judge proposed that Rubiales should stand trial over the incident, describing the kiss as "not consensual and... a unilateral and surprising initiative".
Prosecutors previously charged Mr Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion.
Rubiales has always maintained the kiss was a "consensual peck", but in the wake of the incident, he was forced to resign as president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF).
It set off a wave of global anger at sexism at the highest levels of women's sport.
World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda was sacked in September and is being investigated as part of the criminal case against Rubiales.
Hermoso, who said her image had been tarnished by the kiss, returned to the national side in October and scored an 89th-minute winner against Italy.
Latest Stories
-
Adamus welcomes 12-month roadmap to revive mine, restore investor confidence
53 minutes -
T-bills: Government records 162% oversubscription, interest rates slump
56 minutes -
UPSA moves to turn student research into market-ready solutions
56 minutes -
Presby SHS, Suhum honour late coordinator with dominant One-Eighth qualification
1 hour -
NDC Volta team tracks development projects across four districts
2 hours -
NSMQ 2026: St. Monica’s SHS snatch one-eighth ticket from Amenfiman SHS in dramatic showdown
2 hours -
Why celebrate $2.62bn FDI while losing $1.7bn under the Domestic Gold Programme? IERPP asks
2 hours -
COKA urges NPP executives to return to party’s core values ahead of 2028
2 hours -
NSMQ 2026: Nsutaman stages comeback against Serwaa Nyarko Girls, Hope College to book One-Eighth spot
2 hours -
NSMQ 2026: Fafraha Community SHS defy odds to secure one-eighth spot
2 hours -
Tolon Naa dies days after Yaa Naa, plunging Dagbon into further mourning
2 hours -
CLOGSAG’s Bampoe Addo was a formidable voice for workers – FWSC eulogises
3 hours -
Galamsey destroys over 100 acres of farmland at Akyem Atobriso
3 hours -
GRIDCo completes tower replacement on Tema-Achimota transmission line
3 hours -
Republic Bank-JoyNews Habitat Fair Mini Clinic ends on a high note at Achimota Retail Centre
3 hours