Luis Rubiales
By Akeem Atoyebi
A Spanish court on Thursday ruled that former football chief Luis Rubiales was guilty of sexual assault over the forced kiss he gave star forward Jenni Hermoso, fining him €10,800 ($11,300).
However, the court acquitted him and three other accused individuals of coercion charges.
Prosecutors had sought a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales — one year for sexual assault and 18 months for coercion — alleging he pressured Hermoso to downplay the incident.
Recall that Rubiales was charged with sexual assault for kissing Hermoso in 2023 following Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph in Australia, as well as coercion for allegedly trying to persuade her to dismiss the significance of the incident.
The global condemnation over the kiss forced Rubiales to resign in ignominy, drawing a spotlight on the prevalence of macho culture and sexism in sports.
Hermoso, 34, testified on the opening day of the trial on 3 February, saying she felt “disrespected” after a non-consensual kiss that “should not happen in any social or workplace setting.”
However, Rubiales, 47, told the court on Tuesday that he was “totally sure” Hermoso had consented to the kiss as she stepped up to receive her winner’s medal. He denied pressuring her after the incident, which was broadcast live worldwide.
