Ex-football boss fined €10,000 for kissing World Cup winner
Luis Rubiales has been declared guilty for a non-consensual kiss he administered to player Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.. source:TROIB RTS
TroibNews 
Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexually assaulting Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 medal ceremony.
The former President of the Spanish Football Federation was fined €10,800 for kissing Hermoso without her consent during the medal celebration following Spain's victory in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Despite this ruling, Rubiales will not serve any prison time.
On Thursday, Spain’s High Court determined that Rubiales, 47, was guilty of sexual assault for forcibly kissing Hermoso, 34, on the lips after the match. He and three co-defendants were acquitted of coercion charges that claimed they pressured Hermoso into publicly stating that the kiss was consensual.
In addition to the fine, Rubiales is barred from approaching Hermoso within 200 meters or communicating with her for a year.
However, he avoided a prison sentence, even though prosecutors had sought a combined two-and-a-half-year term for both coercion and sexual assault. The judge noted that the relatively light sentence was due to the view that the act, while “reprehensible,” was a “sporadic act” that involved no intimidation or violence.
Rubiales maintains that the kiss was consensual, with his legal team arguing that even if it was not, it should not be classified as sexual assault. The former football executive, who resigned from his position shortly after the incident, has indicated plans to appeal the decision.
On the other hand, Hermoso has asserted that the kiss was non-consensual, describing it as “a moment that tainted one of the happiest days of my life,” and mentioned that she did not “live freely” until the verdict was reached.
In footage from the medal ceremony, Rubiales is seen enthusiastically thanking and celebrating with team members, hugging and kissing many of them on the cheek. However, Hermoso, the top scorer in Spain's history, appears to be the only player he kissed on the lips.
The incident sparked a significant discussion about sexism and misogyny in sports and contributed to the momentum of the ‘MeToo’ movement within the country.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
The former President of the Spanish Football Federation was fined €10,800 for kissing Hermoso without her consent during the medal celebration following Spain's victory in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Despite this ruling, Rubiales will not serve any prison time.
On Thursday, Spain’s High Court determined that Rubiales, 47, was guilty of sexual assault for forcibly kissing Hermoso, 34, on the lips after the match. He and three co-defendants were acquitted of coercion charges that claimed they pressured Hermoso into publicly stating that the kiss was consensual.
In addition to the fine, Rubiales is barred from approaching Hermoso within 200 meters or communicating with her for a year.
However, he avoided a prison sentence, even though prosecutors had sought a combined two-and-a-half-year term for both coercion and sexual assault. The judge noted that the relatively light sentence was due to the view that the act, while “reprehensible,” was a “sporadic act” that involved no intimidation or violence.
Rubiales maintains that the kiss was consensual, with his legal team arguing that even if it was not, it should not be classified as sexual assault. The former football executive, who resigned from his position shortly after the incident, has indicated plans to appeal the decision.
On the other hand, Hermoso has asserted that the kiss was non-consensual, describing it as “a moment that tainted one of the happiest days of my life,” and mentioned that she did not “live freely” until the verdict was reached.
In footage from the medal ceremony, Rubiales is seen enthusiastically thanking and celebrating with team members, hugging and kissing many of them on the cheek. However, Hermoso, the top scorer in Spain's history, appears to be the only player he kissed on the lips.
The incident sparked a significant discussion about sexism and misogyny in sports and contributed to the momentum of the ‘MeToo’ movement within the country.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
