Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales and three other officials have been charged in the scandal surrounding a kiss at the World Cup award ceremony. The kiss was “not consensual” and it was a “one-sided and unexpected act” by Rubiales, the judge in charge said after the preliminary investigations had been completed. The exact charges were not disclosed in the statement.
Rubiales kissed national soccer player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth at the award ceremony after the World Cup final victory, without her consent, according to the player.
The judge said that the kiss on the mouth touched “the sphere of intimacy that is reserved for sexual relationships, especially between two adults.” “The erotic intent or not, as well as the state of euphoria and excitement felt after the extraordinary sporting triumph, are elements whose consistency and legal consequences must be assessed in the process.” Rubiales insists that Hermoso consented to the kiss.
Rubiales could face several years in prison
Under Spanish law, a non-consensual kiss can be classified as sexual assault. Penalties range from a fine to four years in prison. However, Rubiales can appeal the decision, which does not guarantee that he will have to appear in court.
After much hesitation and protesting his innocence, Rubiales finally resigned as head of the association in September. The world football association Fifa also banned him for three years, which Rubiales wants to take legal action against. As a result of the incident, the player Hermoso involuntarily became a global symbol for the fight against sexism. The Spanish edition of the renowned US magazine GQ voted the 33-year-old Woman of the Year 2023.
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The judge also charged three football officials with coercion against Hermoso. Rubiales, as the then president of the RFEF football association, as well as the sports director of the men’s selection, Albert Luque, the then coach of the women’s national team, Jorge Vilda, and Rubén Rivera, who was responsible for marketing at the RFEF, put pressure on Hermoso to say in a video that The kiss took place with her consent. The footballer denied that.
Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales and three other officials have been charged in the scandal surrounding a kiss at the World Cup award ceremony. The kiss was “not consensual” and it was a “one-sided and unexpected act” by Rubiales, the judge in charge said after the preliminary investigations had been completed. The exact charges were not disclosed in the statement.
Rubiales kissed national soccer player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth at the award ceremony after the World Cup final victory, without her consent, according to the player.
