A Spanish court has found former football federation president Luis Rubiales guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s victory at the 2023 Women’s World Cup without her consent......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
The court imposed €10,800 ($11,300) fine on Rubiales for assault, but he alongside three other individuals, former women’s team coach Jorge Vilda, sports director of the men’s team Albert Luque and head of marketing Ruben Rivera, were acquitted of coercion charges.
The incident happened after Spain beat England 1-0 to win the World Cup in Sydney, Australia. A jubilant Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head with both of his hands and kissed her on the lips during the award ceremony.
The controversial kiss sparked global outrage and intensified discussions about sexism in sports.
Prosecutors had sought a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence, alleging that Rubiales pressured Hermoso to downplay the incident.
The court declined a prison sentence but banned Rubiales from going within a 200-meter radius of Hermoso and from communicating with her for one year.
Hermoso, 34, during the proceedings, testified that she felt “disrespected” by Rubiales, adding that such behavior was unacceptable in any professional or social setting.
She denied Rubiales permission and that the incident had “stained one of the happiest days of my life”.
In his defense, Rubiales, 47, maintained in court that the kiss was consensual and denied any attempt to pressure Hermoso afterward. He admitted he “made a mistake” by not behaving more formally but insisted he had committed no crime.
His statement in court wan in sharp contrast to his initial response to the scandal. In August 2023, he dismissed criticism to his actions, refused to resign, and condemned what he called “false feminism put forward against him.
However, following FIFA’s suspension and a legal investigation, he was forced to step down in September 2023.
Rubiales was banned from all football-related activities for three years by FIFA and will continue to serve that suspension.
Hermoso, Spain’s all-time leading goal scorer, now plays for Tigres in Mexico.
After the World Cup, she was left out of Spain’s national team squad, though new coach Montse Tomé claimed it was to “protect” her rather than as “punishment.”