Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spain’s football federation, has been found guilty of sexual assault. He kissed player Jenni Hermoso without her consent and was ordered to pay a fine of €10,800 (about £8,942). The ruling comes from Spain’s High Court.
Rubiales was cleared of coercion charges after he allegedly tried to pressure Hermoso into claiming the kiss was consensual. During the 2023 World Cup medal ceremony, after Spain beat England, he grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her. This act led to public protests and demands for his resignation.
The court ruling also includes a ban on Rubiales being within 200 meters of Hermoso or contacting her for the next year. Three of his former colleagues were cleared of collusion in the coercion claims.
Initially, prosecutors sought a prison sentence for Rubiales. In court, he maintained that Hermoso had consented to the kiss, describing it as an “act of affection” and “spontaneous.” However, Hermoso testified that she did not agree to the kiss and felt it marred what should have been a joyful occasion.
The incident, seen by millions globally, has fueled a broader conversation about sexism in sports. It sparked a movement among female players in Spain, advocating for equality in the sport. After weeks of pressure and an investigation by FIFA, Rubiales resigned in September 2023.
