Former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has been accused of "inappropriately touching" England players after the Women's World Cup final.
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Rubiales accused by FA chair Debbie HewittHe also allegedly forcibly kissed Jenni HermosoRubiales has hit back at allegationWHAT HAPPENED?
According to new documents released by FIFA, to support their decision to ban Rubiales for three years over his alleged forced kiss on Jenni Hermoso and conduct at the World Cup final, Rubiales behaved inappropriately towards both Lucy Bronze and Laura Coombs. Debbie Hewitt, the Football Association's chair, alleges that Rubiales "cupped and stroked" Coombs' face, and "seemingly forcefully kissed Lucy Bronze on her face".
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
In addition to his alleged kiss on Hermoso, Hewitt also claimed that Rubiales' behaviour towards the Spanish team made her "deeply uncomfortable and embarrassed", as she stood just metres away from the former head of the Spanish Football Federation. Hewitt claims that she did not see any evidence that the kiss with Hermoso was consensual, although he has denied sexually assaulting the player.
WHAT RUBIALES SAID
Rubiales has issued a fierce rebuke to the claims, insisting that Hewitt's allegations are "astonishing".
He added: “Applying the same logic she [Hewitt] used, that [hugging] could be understood as a forceful non-consensual physical contact. The hypocrisy is blatant."
He also claims he was merely trying to comfort Coombs, who did not play in the final due to an injury.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR RUBIALES?
Rubiales resigned in September, but will await the verdict of the investigation from FIFA to discover whether his three-year ban is ratified. It remains to be seen if FIFA will release any further testimony.