In a landmark ruling, former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexual assault, 550 days after the infamous kiss that cast a shadow over Spain's historic Women's World Cup victory.
The Spain's High Court determined that Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso without consent during the medal ceremony following Spain's triumph in August 2023. The court imposed a fine of €10,800 (£8,942) and ordered Rubiales to maintain a 200-meter distance from Hermoso, along with a one-year communication ban. However, he was acquitted of coercion charges related to allegedly pressuring Hermoso to publicly declare the kiss consensual.
The incident marked the climax of long-standing tensions within Spanish women's football. Prior to the World Cup, the national team had experienced significant internal strife, including a player revolt in September 2022. Fifteen players, known as 'Las 15,' had submitted identical emails expressing concerns about their emotional state and health under then-coach Jorge Vilda's leadership. Only three of these players eventually made it to the World Cup squad.
Despite these challenges, Spain achieved an unprecedented victory in the tournament. However, as Hermoso testified earlier this month, the unwanted kiss "stained one of the happiest days of my life." The incident sparked widespread condemnation from the Spanish government, FIFA, the United Nations, and the global football community. Notably, 81 Spanish players, including all 23 World Cup winners, boycotted the national team while Rubiales remained in charge.
England and Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze, who faced Spain in the 2023 World Cup final, praised the courage of Hermoso and her teammates. "They are fighting for change, not just in that court case but in their federation," Bronze stated during an England news conference. "We stand by the Spanish players and we wish them the best."
The case has transcended sports, becoming Spain's defining #MeToo moment and prompting broader discussions about workplace gender dynamics. As BBC News journalist Guy Hedgecoe noted, "This whole controversy went beyond football and beyond sport."
While prosecutors had sought a two-and-a-half-year custodial sentence, Rubiales, who maintains his innocence, has announced his intention to appeal the verdict. The former RFEF president had previously characterized himself as a victim of "social assassination" before finally resigning nearly three weeks after the incident.
Spain's women's team is set to continue their journey, facing Belgium in Valencia in their Women's Nations League opener, followed by a highly anticipated rematch against England at Wembley on February 26 - their first encounter since the 2023 World Cup final.
