On Thursday, a Spanish court convicted former football chief Luis Rubiales of sexual assault for kissing star forward Jenni Hermoso. The court fined him €10,800 ($11,300).
However, the court acquitted Rubiales and three other individuals of coercion charges.
Prosecutors sought a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales. They alleged he pressured Hermoso to downplay the incident.
Rubiales was accused of sexual assault for kissing Hermoso in 2023 after Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory in Australia. He was also accused of coercion for allegedly trying to persuade her to dismiss the significance of the kiss.
The global outcry over the kiss forced Rubiales to resign in disgrace. The incident drew attention to the prevalence of macho culture and sexism in sports.
Hermoso, 34, testified on February 3, saying she felt “disrespected” after a non-consensual kiss that “should not happen in any social or workplace setting.”
Rubiales, 47, told the court he was “totally sure” Hermoso had consented to the kiss as she stepped up to receive her winner’s medal. He denied pressuring her after the incident, which was broadcast live worldwide.
Rubiales admitted he “made a mistake” on the podium, saying he should have “adopted a more formal role,” but insisted no offence had been committed.
Court Testimony and Reactions
Rubiales’ court testimony contrasted sharply with his initial defiance when the scandal first broke. During an emergency federation meeting in August 2023, he dismissed the importance of the kiss, resisted calls for his resignation, and denounced “false feminism.“
Rubiales eventually resigned in September 2023. FIFA had suspended him, and Spanish prosecutors launched an investigation into alleged sexual assault. Rubiales had been president of the federation since 2018.
Hermoso, the all-time top scorer for Spain’s women’s team, now plays for Mexican club Tigres. She was not immediately called up to the national squad after the World Cup, but new coach Montse Tomé insisted the omission was “to protect” her rather than as “punishment.”
Opinion Diverge on Rubiales Fate
Public reactions to Luis Rubiales’ conviction have been widespread and varied:
Many people have expressed solidarity with Jenni Hermoso, praising her courage for speaking out and condemning Rubiales’ actions. Social media has been flooded with messages of support for Hermoso, with hashtags like #StandWithJenni trending.
Some critics believe the court’s decision was too lenient. They argue that a fine of €10,800 is not a sufficient punishment for the gravity of the offence.
Spanish players from both the women’s and men’s national teams had boycotted matches in protest against Rubiales’ actions and other issues of sexism in sports.
However, while many people support Hermoso and condemn Rubiales, some believe Rubiales’ actions resulted from a “moment of jubilation” and not intentional harm. This has led to a divided public opinion on the matter.
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