Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spain's football federation, has been found guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent, highlighting the growing movement against sexism in sports.
Luis Rubiales Fined €10,800 for World Cup Non-consensual Kiss
Luis Rubiales Fined €10,800 for World Cup Non-consensual Kiss
Spain's ex-football federation president faces legal repercussions after World Cup incident
Spain's former football federation president, Luis Rubiales, has been ordered to pay a €10,800 fine as he was found guilty of sexual assault for kissing women's football star Jenni Hermoso without her consent. The High Court in Spain determined that Rubiales, who originally claimed that the kiss was a spontaneous act of affection, had overstepped boundaries during the medal ceremony of the 2023 World Cup. While he was acquitted of coercion charges, Rubiales is prohibited from approaching Hermoso within a 200-meter radius or communicating with her for one year, as stated by the court.
The incident ignited widespread protests and demands for Rubiales's resignation, ultimately drawing international attention to issues regarding sexism in sports. As the Spanish women's team celebrated their victory against England in Sydney, Rubiales kissed Hermoso in front of millions of viewers, an encounter she later described as having "stained one of the happiest days of my life."
Rubiales attempted to downplay the act, asserting in court that he was “absolutely sure” Hermoso had consented to the kiss. However, Hermoso’s testimony countered this claim, emphasizing that she did not give permission. The ruling could potentially be a landmark moment, as it feeds into the broader "Me Too" movement within the Spanish football community, where players continue to fight against sexism and push for equal rights with their male counterparts.
Following the uproar that surrounded the event and subsequent investigations launched by FIFA and Spanish prosecutors, Rubiales resigned from his position in September 2023, after initially resisting calls for his departure. Meanwhile, three of his colleagues implicated in the case were cleared of coercion charges, allowing them to avoid similar legal repercussions. The case draws significant attention to ongoing challenges and advocacy for women’s rights in sports globally.
The incident ignited widespread protests and demands for Rubiales's resignation, ultimately drawing international attention to issues regarding sexism in sports. As the Spanish women's team celebrated their victory against England in Sydney, Rubiales kissed Hermoso in front of millions of viewers, an encounter she later described as having "stained one of the happiest days of my life."
Rubiales attempted to downplay the act, asserting in court that he was “absolutely sure” Hermoso had consented to the kiss. However, Hermoso’s testimony countered this claim, emphasizing that she did not give permission. The ruling could potentially be a landmark moment, as it feeds into the broader "Me Too" movement within the Spanish football community, where players continue to fight against sexism and push for equal rights with their male counterparts.
Following the uproar that surrounded the event and subsequent investigations launched by FIFA and Spanish prosecutors, Rubiales resigned from his position in September 2023, after initially resisting calls for his departure. Meanwhile, three of his colleagues implicated in the case were cleared of coercion charges, allowing them to avoid similar legal repercussions. The case draws significant attention to ongoing challenges and advocacy for women’s rights in sports globally.
