Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association, was convicted of sexual assault for forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s World Cup win. Despite the conviction, he avoided prison time and was acquitted of coercion charges, though he had attempted to pressure Hermoso into claiming the kiss was consensual. She denied the false narrative in court. The court ruled that the situation did not require imprisonment.
In addition to a fine of just over $11,000, Rubiales is required to pay Hermoso around $3,000 in compensation. The court also imposed a restraining order, prohibiting him from coming within 650 feet of Hermoso or communicating with her for one year. This legal outcome comes amid widespread controversy and calls for accountability in Spanish football.
Lucy Bronze, a prominent England player and former teammate of several involved in the case, praised the bravery of the Spanish players speaking out. She emphasized the collective fight for change within both Spanish football and the wider football community, stating that as an England team, they stand in solidarity with the Spanish players. Bronze acknowledged the challenging ordeal these athletes endured but highlighted their resilience and strength. “Sadly, there is that negative side to sport in general, but we are trying to make change. We want the world to be a better place, the sports that we play to be better places. We want to be safe, we want to bring joy and excitement and that is why we all play the sport. To use our platforms to push those things forward and make change for little boys and girls, that is something we hold really dear to our hearts.”