Debbie Hewitt, the President of the English FA, publicly described the actions of the former Spain federation president Luis Rubiales as “inappropriate” during the trophy ceremony of the World Cup final held in Australia and New Zealand. Her testimony came as part of FIFA’s disciplinary proceedings related to Rubiales’ conduct during the final match between Spain and England, where several gestures and actions drew scrutiny. A central point of her testimony was a perception of an unpleasant and unnecessarily offensive tone directed at FIFA staff, which she recalled as she observed Rubiales alongside the medal ceremony participants [FIFA report].
Hewitt said Rubiales’s behavior toward England players included personal contact sequences that she characterized as inappropriate. She described Rubiales as having caressed Laura Coombs’s face and, in what she interpreted as an apparent forced kiss, touching Lucy Bronze’s face as the players received their medals. The moment of medal presentation itself was noted for intense physical contact, with Rubiales holding players tightly, some players being guided or supported while being lifted momentarily off the ground. Hewitt stated that these actions made her feel uncomfortable and embarrassed during the ceremony [FIFA report].
Rubiales responded to Hewitt’s description by asserting that her account overstated his conduct, calling the allegations “incredible” and accusing Hewitt of prejudice against him. He labeled her portrayal hypocritical for highlighting celebratory embraces among players of his own team, arguing that those hugs could be interpreted as non-consensual contact if applied with the same standard—an assertion he made during the hearing and repeated in subsequent statements [FIFA report].
On the subject of the interaction with Laura Coombs, Rubiales offered another explanation, saying his actions were aimed at consoling Coombs after a head injury sustained during the final, when a bandage and stitches were evident. He contended that the intent was supportive rather than coercive, framing the moment as part of his attempt to comfort an injured teammate in a highly charged moment of the tournament final [FIFA report].
Following the proceedings, FIFA announced a decisive outcome: Rubiales was disqualified from any football activity for three years as a consequence of his behavior at the recent World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand. The disciplinary measure reflected FIFA’s assessment of the events and their impact on the integrity and conduct expected from high-level officials within the sport [FIFA report].