Spain’s former football federation president, Luis Rubiales, has been found guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent. Spain’s High Court has ordered him to pay a fine of €10,800 (£8,942).
Rubiales was acquitted of coercion, where he was accused of trying to pressure Hermoso into claiming the kiss was consensual. The incident occurred as Spain’s players received their medals after winning the 2023 World Cup in Sydney. Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips, triggering protests and calls for his resignation.
Rubiales has said he will appeal the verdict. The court ruling also includes a ban preventing Rubiales from coming within 200 meters of Hermoso or communicating with her for one year.
Three of Rubiales’s former colleagues—Jorge Vilda, the World Cup-winning coach, Rubén Rivera, former head of marketing at the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF), and Albert Luque, the former sporting director—were cleared of charges related to coercion.
Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence for Rubiales. Last week, he told the court he was “absolutely sure” Hermoso had given her consent before the kiss, calling it an “act of affection” and describing it as “spontaneous.”
Hermoso, however, testified that she had not given her consent and said the incident “stained one of the happiest days of my life.” She explained, “My boss was kissing me, and this shouldn’t happen in any social or work setting,” and added, “A kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so.”
The kiss, witnessed by millions during the World Cup celebration, sparked a movement in Spanish women’s football against sexism and for equality with male players.
Rubiales resigned in September 2023 after weeks of resisting calls to step down, following his suspension by FIFA and an investigation by Spanish prosecutors.
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