Ex-Spain manager Luis Rubiales found guilty of sexual assault | OneFootball

Spain’s High Court has convicted former President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales of sexual assault for an unsolicited kiss on national team player Jennifer Hermoso. Rubiales and three former RFEF staff members were acquitted of coercion.

The assault occurred during the televised 2023 Women’s World Cup medal ceremony and caused global outcry. FIFA, members of the Spanish government, and The United Nations condemned Rubiales’ behaviour. However, catastrophic mismanagement within the RFEF allowed him to stay in post through a multitude of embarrassing public statements.

A total of 81 Spanish players, including all 23 of the World Cup squad, refused call-ups while he remained in charge, until he was eventually forced into resignation.

Coercion acquittal for Jorge Vilda and RFEF staff

In the courtroom, Hermoso testified of the ‘stain’ on one of the happiest days of her life. Since the kiss occurred, she has consistently stated that it was non-consensual. While the 34-year-old striker was believed, all four defendants — including former Spain manager Jorge Vilda — were acquitted of coercion.

Speaking at a press conference, Spain captain Irene Paredes described the lack of conviction as ‘strange’.

The days following the World Cup played out in court hearings. Numerous friends, family, and RFEF staff testified to conversations which aimed to convince Hermoso to downplay the incident publicly. Moreover, it was confirmed that Hermoso’s RFEF-distributed statement was forged and published without the footballer’s consent. A member of staff also testified to the corruption at the heart of the RFEF’s internal investigation. Nevertheless, the lack of violent intimidation led to acquittal.

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Luis Rubiales sentenced to fine

After being found guilty of sexual assault, Rubiales cannot be within 200 meters of Hermoso, nor can he contact her for a year. The 47-year-old was also sentenced to a fine of €20 per day for 18 months. In total, this amounts to just over €10,000. He was also ordered to pay half of Hermoso’s legal costs, as well as €3,000 for moral damages. In his previous role as the President of the RFEF, Rubiales took home a gross annual salary of €675,763.

“We are saddened that the fine imposed is the lowest one contemplated for this type of crime,” FUTPRO said in an official statement. “We also consider that the amount set as compensation for Jenni Hermoso is insufficient… It is essential that justice reflects more forcefully the damage suffered by the victims and guarantees compensation in accordance with the seriousness of the events.”

Both Rubiales and Hermoso have said they will appeal the verdict.

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Jenni Hermoso dropped from Spanish National Team

Spain will play their opening Nations League game against Belgium without Jenni Hermoso. The Madrid-born star was dropped from the squad with the release of the Netflix documentary about the assault. Spain coach Montse Tomé has insisted that she made the choice for sporting reasons. Yet to any football follower, there is no viable justification to be found.

Hermoso is the top all-time goalscorer for the Spanish women’s national team. She played almost every minute of Spain’s World Cup-winning run, scoring three goals and picking up the tournament’s Silver Boot. More recently, she played in every one of Spain’s Euro qualifiers, netting three goals to share the top-scorer position with Salma Paralluelo. Now playing in Mexico for Tigres UANL, Hermoso continues to get playing time, goals and assists.

With the 2025 Euros just months away, it seems likely that Hermoso’s tarnished World Cup victory and her resolute bravery ever since may have marked the end of her time with Las Roja. Nevertheless, Hermoso will be remembered long after she’s hung up her boots. Her courage in the face of a powerful federation, her resilience in speaking the truth, and her defiance against the perfect victim narrative make her a hero for so many.

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