Luis Rubiales Found Guilty of Unwanted Jenni Hermoso Kiss but Avoids Prison Sentence
Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spain’s football federation, has been found guilty of kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent. He has been fined over €10,000 (£8,275) by Spain’s High Court, though he was acquitted of coercion.
The incident happened after Spain’s women’s football team won the 2023 World Cup in Sydney. While the players were receiving their medals, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips. This led to protests and calls for Rubiales to resign.
Prosecutors had asked for Rubiales to be jailed, but he insisted in court last week that he was “absolutely sure” Hermoso had given her consent. He described the kiss as a “spontaneous act of affection.”
However, Hermoso testified that she had not given consent and said the incident “stained one of the happiest days of my life.”
Rubiales was accused of sexual assault and attempting to force Hermoso to say the kiss was consensual, though he was cleared of these charges.
The kiss was seen by millions of viewers worldwide and sparked a movement in Spain’s women’s football, with players calling for an end to sexism and equal treatment with their male counterparts.
Rubiales resigned in September 2023 after weeks of refusing to step down. This came after Fifa suspended him and Spanish prosecutors began an investigation.
