Luis Rubiales sees appeal against three-year football ban DENIED one day after being found guilty of kissing Jenni Hermoso without consent at World Cup

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) turned down Rubiales' request to have a three-year global football ban reduced, meaning it will still expire in the autumn of 2026. The verdict was reached the day after the disgraced former head of football in Spain was found guilty of sexually assaulting Jenni Hermoso with a non-consensual kiss in the aftermath of the 2023 Women's World Cup final.

Rubiales avoided a prison sentence over his behaviour that day in 2023, but was fined more than €10,000 (£8,284/$10,464) and ordered not to contact Hermoso, or come within 100 metres of her for a year. However, a not guilty verdict was returned on the charge of coercion, which alleged Rubiales pressured Hermoso into playing down the kiss. The prosecution wanted him jailed for two and a half years.

In a statement, CAS explained that Rubiales' conduct "constituted multiple and serious violations of the FIFA Disciplinary Code".

The verdict read: "The appeal sought to set the contested decision aside, or in the alternative to set it partially aside and amend the sanction, or in the further alternative, apply any other disciplinary measures. The appeal by Mr Rubiales is dismissed and the contested decision is maintained."

Rubiales, who only reluctantly resigned his position as RFEF president and has belligerently protested his innocence throughout the unsavoury saga, cannot have any involvement in organised football until after the 2026 men's World Cup. Half of the ban has actually already been served, but whether any serious footballing body would willingly associate with a convicted sex criminal once the suspension is up is another matter. He already plans to appeal his conviction.