Ex-Spanish FA Chief Luis Rubiales Found Guilty Over Non-Consensual Kiss

Former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of kissing Jenni Hermoso without consent following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory in 2023.

Spain’s High Court has ordered Rubiales to pay a fine exceeding €10,000 (£8,274). However, he has been acquitted of coercion, despite prosecutors seeking a prison sentence.

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Jenni Hermoso: ‘I Never Agreed to the Kiss’

During the trial in Madrid, World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso testified that she “never” consented to the kiss, describing how the moment “tainted one of the happiest days” of her career.

Rubiales, 47, faced charges of sexual assault and attempted coercion, with allegations that he pressured **Hermoso—Spain’s all-time top goalscorer—**to publicly state the kiss was consensual.

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Rubiales Maintains His Innocence

Rubiales denied all charges, arguing that the kiss was mutual and happened in a “moment of jubilation” after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final.

However, Hermoso firmly refuted this claim, saying the non-consensual kiss overshadowed Spain’s historic win.

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Impact on Women’s Football in Spain

The scandal surrounding Rubiales sparked global outrage, eclipsing Spain’s first-ever Women’s World Cup triumph. It became a turning point for women’s football in Spain, fueling efforts to expose sexism and demand equal treatment with male counterparts.

With the case now settled, the verdict marks a significant milestone in the fight for gender equality in sports.