Former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has lost his appeal against FIFA's three-year ban from football-related activities.
Rubiales resigned from his role in September after kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's victory over England in the Women's World Cup final.
Mr. Hermoso later filed a lawsuit against Mr. Rubiales, saying the kiss was not consensual.
The decision could be challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“The Appeals Committee is satisfied, among other considerations, that Ms. Rubiales acted contrary to the principles set out in Article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code during and after the FIFA Women's World Cup final. '' said the world soccer governing body in a statement. Read the body.
Article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code concerns offensive conduct and breaches of the principles of fair play.
On Thursday, a Spanish judge suggested: Mr. Rubiales must stand trial for the incident.explaining that the kiss was “not consensual…a unilateral and surprising initiative.”
Prosecutors had previously charged Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion.
Rubiales, who has always maintained the kiss was a “consensual peck”, was forced to resign as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following the incident.
The incident sparked a wave of global outrage over sexism at the highest levels of women's sport.
World Cup-winning manager Jorge Virda was sacked in September and is being investigated as part of a criminal case against Rubiales.
Hermoso, who said his image had been tarnished by the kiss, returned to the national team in October and scored the winning goal in the 89th minute against Italy.
