Spain’s High Court has found former football federation president Luis Rubiales guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent. He has been fined over 10,000 euros ($10,434), though he was acquitted of coercion charges, the court announced on Thursday.
Rubiales, who has maintained that Hermoso consented to the kiss at the 2023 Women’s World Cup awards ceremony, stated that he would appeal the verdict, saying, “I am going to keep fighting.” Hermoso’s lawyer, Ángel Chavarría, also confirmed that she will appeal.
Prosecutors had initially sought a prison sentence for the 47-year-old, arguing that the incident sparked a broader discussion on sexism in women’s football and Spanish society. However, Judge José Manuel Fernández-Prieto ruled that the act, though reprehensible, was of “minor intensity” as it did not involve violence or intimidation. As a result, Rubiales was spared prison time and given a financial penalty instead.
In addition to the fine, Rubiales is banned from approaching within 200 meters (218 yards) of Hermoso or communicating with her for one year. He must also pay her 3,000 euros in compensation, with the fine structured as 20 euros per day over an 18-month period.
During the trial, Hermoso testified that the unwanted kiss and the subsequent controversy “tainted one of the happiest days of my life.” Her teammates described her as overwhelmed and distressed in the aftermath. Spain’s team captain, Irene Paredes, expressed surprise that there was no conviction for coercion, stating that while the ruling for sexual assault was appropriate, the absence of a coercion conviction seemed unusual.
The verdict has been widely regarded as a victory for women’s rights in Spain, a country where traditional gender attitudes persist despite significant progress in recent years. Equality Minister Ana Redondo emphasized that the ruling upholds the principle that “when there is no consent, there is assault.” Prominent feminist and European Parliament member Irene Montero also hailed the decision, noting that such a conviction would have been unthinkable in the past, calling it proof of the impact of the feminist movement.
Meanwhile, Rubiales remains under a separate corruption investigation concerning commissions related to a lucrative deal for hosting the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
The Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE), which acted as a private prosecutor in the case, described the ruling as a significant step toward protecting women’s rights and eliminating abuse in sports.
source: [reuters]
