Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent during the 2023 Women’s World Cup celebrations. Spain’s High Court has ordered him to pay a fine of £8,942, while acquitting him of coercion charges.
The incident occurred as Spain’s players received their medals after defeating England in the final. Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips, an act that sparked global outrage, protests, and calls for his resignation.
As part of the ruling, Rubiales has been banned from approaching Hermoso within 200 meters or contacting her for a year. Meanwhile, three former colleagues—World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda, ex-RFEF marketing head Rubén Rivera, and former sporting director Albert Luque—were cleared of coercion charges.
During the trial, Rubiales defended his actions, insisting the kiss was a spontaneous “act of affection” and that he was convinced Hermoso had consented. However, Hermoso refuted this, stating the incident had tarnished “one of the happiest days of my life.”
The scandal fueled a wider movement advocating for gender equality in Spanish football. Rubiales resigned in September 2023 after resisting pressure for weeks, following FIFA’s suspension and a legal probe by Spanish authorities.
