Former Spanish Soccer Federation president Luis Rubiales has been convicted of sexual assault for forcibly kissing national team player Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup victory. A National Court judge imposed a €10,400 fine and 12-month restraining order on Tuesday, capping a saga that sparked global outrage over gender-based violence in sports.
While acquitted of coercion charges, Rubiales faced intense public backlash for dismissing the non-consensual kiss as “mutual euphoria.” The ruling validates Hermoso’s testimony that the act left her feeling “disrespected and powerless.” Three federation colleagues – Jorge Vilda, Albert Luque, and Ruben Rivera – were also cleared of pressuring Hermoso to absolve Rubiales post-incident.
“This was never consensual. I felt violated both as an athlete and human being,” Hermoso stated during explosive court proceedings.
Key case details:
- Kiss occurred during August 2023 medal ceremony in Sydney
- Rubiales banned by FIFA until 2026
- Victim faced online harassment after initial denials
The scandal ignited Spain’s #MeToo movement in sports, with players demanding structural reforms. Over 80 female athletes signed solidarity letters supporting Hermoso as Rubiales doubled down on his “witch hunt” defense. Legal experts argue the verdict sets precedent for prosecuting gender violence during public events.
Despite resigning in September 2023, Rubiales maintained the kiss was “spontaneous affection” until final hearings. Analysts suggest the case highlights systemic misogyny in European soccer management – Spain’s World Cup champions were still negotiating equal pay when the incident occurred.
