Former Spanish Football Chief Fined for Non-Consensual Act After World Cup Final
Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, has been found guilty of kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent following Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup victory.
Spain’s High Court has ordered Rubiales, 47, to pay a fine exceeding €10,000 (£8,274). However, he was acquitted of coercion, despite allegations that he pressured Hermoso into publicly stating the kiss had been mutual. Prosecutors had initially sought a prison sentence for the ex-football official.
Hermoso’s Testimony and the Aftermath
Hermoso, a key player in Spain’s historic win, testified in court that she “never” consented to the kiss, describing the incident as something that “tarnished one of the most joyful days” of her career. She stated that Rubiales forcibly held her by the head before kissing her in a moment that overshadowed the team’s achievement.
The controversy, which erupted after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in August 2023, sparked a wider reckoning over sexism in Spanish football. The backlash led to Rubiales resigning from his position and triggered protests from female players advocating for equality in the sport.
Rubiales’ Defence and Public Reaction
Throughout the trial, Rubiales maintained that the kiss was a spontaneous act of celebration and entirely consensual. His legal team argued that the incident had been blown out of proportion, insisting there was no wrongdoing.
However, the case became a landmark moment in women’s sports, prompting global discussions on workplace conduct, power dynamics, and gender equality in football.
With the court’s ruling, Spain’s football community now faces the challenge of ensuring lasting cultural and institutional changes following a scandal that reshaped the narrative of the nation’s first Women’s World Cup victory.
