Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation, has been ordered to pay a fine of €10,800 (£8,942) for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent. The High Court of Spain found him guilty of sexual assault, but he was acquitted of charges related to coercing Hermoso into claiming the kiss was consensual. The incident occurred during the medal ceremony after Spain's national women's team secured victory against England in the 2023 World Cup, when Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips in front of a global audience, triggering widespread outrage and demands for his resignation.
Rubiales has stated his intention to appeal the court's verdict, maintaining that he firmly believed Hermoso had consented to the kiss. He characterized the act as an “expression of affection” and described it as "completely spontaneous." Hermoso, however, testified that the kiss was unwelcome, emphasizing that such an act should not occur in professional contexts and profoundly affected what she described as "one of the happiest days of my life."
The court ruling also imposed restrictions on Rubiales, prohibiting him from approaching or communicating with Hermoso for a year. Meanwhile, three of Rubiales's former associates, including coach Jorge Vilda and marketing head Rubén Rivera, were cleared of charges alleging they colluded in an attempt to coerce Hermoso.
The controversy surrounding Rubiales has fueled a broader movement in Spain's women's football, echoing the "Me Too" movement as players push for equality and an end to sexism in the sport. Following the incident and the outcry it generated, Rubiales resigned in September 2023 after facing immense pressure from both FIFA and public opinion, including an ongoing legal investigation.
