FIFA Bans Rubiales from Football for 15 Years, Spanish FA Demands Immediate Resignation

Spanish FA officials have urgently requested the resignation of Luis Rubiales, aged 46, due to his 'unacceptable' conduct, which they claim has significantly damaged the reputation of Spanish football. This move came in response to a FIFA threat to ban Spain's national teams and top clubs from international competitions if the Spanish FA did not comply with their proposed penalties for Rubiales.

During a protest in Madrid on Monday, a woman held a sign that read 'It's over' in response to Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales' refusal to resign following a post-World Cup final kiss with a player.

Insiders involved in the disciplinary process have revealed that FIFA is advocating for a potential ban of up to 15 years for Rubiales, the maximum duration allowed by their regulations. This would have given FIFA the authority to take action against Spanish national teams and clubs if the decision had been contested.

Previously, FIFA had imposed a 90-day interim suspension on Rubiales while he retained the support of the Spanish FA. This suspension was issued pending the results of an internal investigation into his controversial behavior, which included kissing Jenni Hermoso following Spain's World Cup final victory over England.

FIFA Seeks 15-Year Ban for Rubiales Over Post-World Cup Kiss

Following a five-hour meeting on Monday, the Spanish FA officially requested Rubiales to step down from his position.

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In another surprising turn of events, it was revealed that one of Rubiales' final actions before his suspension was instructing the Spanish FA to write to UEFA, complaining of government interference and requesting the suspension of the federation. Such a suspension would have led to automatic exclusion from European competitions for Spanish national teams and clubs. However, UEFA rejected this request, citing FIFA's handling of the disciplinary process and the invalidity of the letter, as Rubiales had been replaced by an interim president, Pedro Rocha.

In a strongly-worded statement released over the weekend, the Spanish FA, under Rubiales' leadership, accused Hermoso of spreading falsehoods. The statement declared that the Spanish FA and the president would expose each of the lies, whether they were conveyed by someone on behalf of the player or the player herself. Hermoso vehemently denied these allegations in her extensive response.

FIFA is likely to impose a significant ban on Rubiales following his conduct during the World Cup final in Sydney, where he engaged in inappropriate behavior, including grabbing his crotch, despite being in close proximity to Spain's Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter. FIFA's disciplinary committee collected statements from eyewitnesses before announcing Rubiales' suspension from all football-related activities at the national and international levels.

Rubiales' Request for UEFA Suspension Denied Amid FIFA Disciplinary Process

Under FIFA statutes, any imposed ban would also extend to all Spanish national teams and clubs in FIFA-affiliated competitions unless accepted by the Spanish FA.

Such a ban would have had a substantial impact on UEFA, as Spain boasts five clubs in this year's men's Champions League, two in the Europa League, and one in the Europa Conference League. Additionally, Barcelona holds the title of Champions League holders in women's football.

In another astonishing development in this ongoing saga, it was revealed that Rubiales' mother, Angeles Bejar, was on a hunger strike in a church near Malaga, protesting the allegations against her son.

READ MORE: 81 Spanish Women's National Team Players Sign Petition Demanding President Rubiales to Resign

Luis Rubiales Faces Potential 30-Month Jail Sentence for Jenni Hermoso Kiss

The trial concerning the nonconsensual kiss involving Luis Rubiales has not commenced at this time.