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Rubiales Sentenced in Kiss Scandal
A chapter closes in the tumultuous saga surrounding Luis Rubiales, the former president of the royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). On Thursday, January 20, a national court delivered it’s verdict, imposing a notable fine for sexual assault.
A Fine, Not Imprisonment
Rubiales was fined €10,800 for the controversial kiss of Jenni Hermoso, the Spanish national team player, during the World Cup medal ceremony in August 2023. The court found him guilty of sexual assault, a decision that sparked immediate reaction.
The Court’s Ruling
- The court sentenced Rubiales to an 18-month fine, with a daily rate of €20.
- He is forbidden from approaching Hermoso within 200 meters and communicating with her for a year.
an Appeal Looms
Rubiales’s legal team has announced an appeal, challenging the court’s decision. The legal battle is far from over.
The Scandal’s Origins
The incident, which occurred during Spain’s World Cup victory over England in Sydney, ignited a firestorm of controversy. Hermoso vehemently denied consent for the kiss, while Rubiales maintained he had received it.
A Trial of Words
The trial, which commenced on February 3 in San Fernando de Henares, near Madrid, featured intense testimony. Hermoso steadfastly maintained her position, while Rubiales stood firm in his claim of consent.
Beyond the Kiss
the prosecution sought a harsher penalty, demanding two and a half years in prison. The court’s decision, though, focused solely on the sexual assault charge, leaving the coercion aspect unresolved.
A Shadow Over Spanish Football
The case has cast a long shadow over Spanish football, raising questions about the treatment of women in sports and the need for stronger protections against sexual assault. The outcome of the appeal will be crucial in shaping the future of the sport.
