Former Spain football chief Luis Rubiales fined €10,800 for forced kiss on Jenni Hermoso during 2023 World Cup

Spain's former football federation president Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexual assault for kissing Jenni Hermoso without her consent after Spain won the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Spain's High Court ordered him to pay a fine of €10,800 (around $11,300).

However, he was found not guilty of coercion, meaning there was insufficient evidence to prove he attempted to pressure Hermoso into publicly stating that the kiss was consensual.


The court also ruled that Rubiales must stay at least 200 metres away from Hermoso and is prohibited from contacting her for one year.

What happened?

After Spain’s women football players received their medals for beating England in Sydney to win the 2023 World Cup, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips. The incident sparked widespread protests and calls for his resignation.

The 47-year-old has repeatedly claimed that the kiss was consensual, whereas Hermoso has consistently stated that she did not give consent and testified to that effect in court.

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Who are the other three accused?

Rubiales, along with three former employees of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) – ex-Spain women’s coach Jorge Vilda, former Newcastle United forward and ex-RFEF sporting director Albert Luque, and former marketing director Rubén Rivera – were found not guilty of coercion.

Prosecutors had alleged that the four men pressured Hermoso into supporting Rubiales’ version of events. They had sought 18-month prison sentences if the men were convicted.

Rubiales and the three co-accused stood trial in February, which lasted two weeks. Judge Jose Manuel Clemente Fernandez-Prieto heard testimonies from Hermoso, her Spain teammates, her family and friends.

The four defendants also testified, along with the current head coach of Spain’s women’s team and several other RFEF employees.

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The High Court’s decision can be appealed in the criminal chamber of Spain’s Audiencia Nacional.

FAQs

1. What is the Luis Rubiales and Jenni Hermoso controversy?
The controversy revolves around an incident following Spain’s victory in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. During the trophy presentation, Rubiales grabbed player Jenni Hermoso by the head and kissed her, sparking public outcry and legal proceedings.

2. Who is Luis Rubiales?
Luis Rubiales is a Spanish football administrator and former professional footballer. He served as the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) from 2018 until his suspension in 2023 due to the controversial incident involving Jenni Hermoso.