Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has announced his intention to appeal after being found guilty of sexually assaulting player Jenni Hermoso. The court ruled that Rubiales’ kiss on Hermoso during the 2023 Women’s World Cup celebrations was non-consensual, sentencing him to a fine of over €10,000. However, he was acquitted of coercion charges, which alleged he pressured Hermoso to downplay the incident. Despite the verdict, Rubiales remains defiant, stating, “I am going to keep fighting.”
The case, which overshadowed Spain’s historic Women’s World Cup victory, ignited a global conversation about sexism and abuse in football. Hermoso testified that she never consented to the kiss, contradicting Rubiales’ claims. Judge Jose Manuel Fernandez-Prieto ruled in her favor, stating that while the act was “always reproachable,” it was of lower severity as it did not involve physical violence or intimidation. Because of this, Rubiales was spared a prison sentence, with the court instead imposing a fine of €20 per day over an 18-month period.
In addition to the fine, Rubiales has been issued a restraining order preventing him from approaching Hermoso within 200 meters or communicating with her for one year. The ruling also cleared three former Spanish federation officials—Jorge Vilda, Albert Luque, and Ruben Rivera—of coercion charges related to the case.
During the trial, Hermoso described how the incident marred what should have been one of the happiest moments of her career, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and distressed. Her teammates also testified about the emotional toll it took on her in the aftermath. The verdict has been welcomed by women’s rights advocates and sports organizations, with Spain’s Association of Footballers (AFE) calling it “a significant step forward in the fight against abuse in sports.”
However, Rubiales’ acquittal on coercion charges and his avoidance of jail time has sparked debate. Spain’s Equality Minister, Ana Redondo, praised the court’s acknowledgment that “when there is no consent, there is assault,” reinforcing the importance of protecting victims. Meanwhile, Hermoso’s legal team has stated that the next steps in the case will depend on her decision regarding whether to continue the legal fight against Rubiales.
