Luis Rubiales, former Vice President of UEFA and former Spanish Football Federation president, has been found guilty of sexual assault for kissing Spanish women’s national team forward Jenni Hermoso following the 2023 World Cup final.
Rubiales was found guilty in Spain’s High Court, and was fined €10,000 (around $10,400 USD). He also faced a charge of coercion, for which he was found not guilty. In addition, the High Court set a restraining order, banning Rubiales from going within a 200-meter radius (656-foot) of Hermoso. He is also banned from communicating with her for one year.
Rubiales was facing possible prison time for the incident. He told Reuters that he planned to “keep fighting” and appeal the decision.
The charges came after Rubiales non-consensually kissed Hermoso on the lips during the medal ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, on August 20, 2023, when Spain beat England for La Roja’s first Women’s World Cup title.
Rubiales’ defense team stated that the kiss was consensual, which Hermoso rebuked.
Hermoso…
