Luis Rubiales has been convicted of sexual assault for kissing Jenni Hermoso without consent after Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup win. A Spanish court fined him €10,800 but cleared him of coercion. The scandal led to his resignation and intensified debates on sexism in sports.
A Spanish court has convicted former football federation president Luis Rubiales of sexual assault for forcibly kissing footballer Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup victory. Rubiales was fined €10,800 but was acquitted of coercion charges.
The case, which sparked global outrage, led to his resignation and highlighted deep-seated sexism in sports. Prosecutors initially sought a 2.5-year prison term, arguing that Rubiales pressured Hermoso to downplay the incident. Hermoso stated in court that the kiss was non-consensual and inappropriate. Rubiales, however, claimed she had consented. His controversial stance and earlier refusal to step down further fueled the scandal.
