Luis Rubiales Found Guilty of Sexual Assault in World Cup Incident

MADRID, Spain — Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, was found guilty of sexually assaulting player Jenni Hermoso after kissing her on the lips during the celebration of Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory in August 2023. The ruling was made by the Audiencia Nacional on Thursday, and Rubiales was subsequently fined over €10,000 ($10,400) for his actions.

The court also imposed a one-year restraint order, preventing Rubiales from contacting Hermoso or approaching her within 200 meters for the same duration. Although prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of up to two and a half years, he was acquitted of coercion allegations regarding attempts to downplay the incident.

The incident took place after Spain clinched its first Women’s World Cup title in Sydney, Australia. It drew widespread condemnation, overshadowing the win and sparking a national conversation about sexism and consent. Hermoso received numerous death threats as fallout from the event, which ultimately contributed to Rubiales’ resignation from his position.

Rubiales, 47, argued that the kiss was consensual. “I am absolutely sure that she gave me her permission,” he claimed in court, maintaining that the action was spontaneous. Hermoso, however, testified that she felt disrespected by the unsolicited kiss, saying, “This shouldn’t happen in any social or workplace setting.”

During her testimony, Hermoso expressed how the kiss impacted her life and career. “I’d spent years fighting to win titles for my team, like the World Cup, but all that’s happened to me means that I just haven’t been able to enjoy any of it,” she said. “I honestly haven’t been able to live freely.”

Rubiales acknowledged that his behavior was a “mistake,” expressing remorse but insisting on the kiss’s consensual nature. The court also heard from witnesses including Hermoso’s brother, who testified about the pressure applied to convince Hermoso to appear in a video statement downplaying the incident.

Prosecutors emphasized the sufficiency of evidence indicating that the kiss was unwanted. “It was an unwanted kiss,” said public prosecutor Marta Durántez Gil. “After the examination carried out [during the trial], there is no doubt.”

The case also highlighted another controversy after Rubiales was seen grabbing his crotch at an award ceremony next to Queen Letizia of Spain and her daughter. Following the global outrage from this incident and the kiss, Rubiales’ role in the federation was severely compromised.

While three other individuals, including former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, were acquitted of coercion charges related to pressuring Hermoso to downplay the circumstances surrounding the kiss, Rubiales’ actions have sparked calls for accountability within sports governance and further advocacy for women’s rights and workplace respect.