Luis Rubiales Faces Trial for Non-Consensual Kiss and Coercion

The former Spanish football chief is accused of forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women's World Cup and pressuring her to suppress the incident.

Luis Rubiales, ex-president of the Spanish Football Federation, is on trial for sexual assault and coercion related to a non-consensual kiss given to Jenni Hermoso after Spain's 2023 Women's World Cup victory.
Jenni Hermoso testified that the incident tarnished one of the happiest days of her life, emphasizing that the kiss was unsolicited and disrespectful.
The prosecution is seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales, citing both the kiss and subsequent efforts to pressure Hermoso into publicly downplaying the event.
The case has become a global symbol of the fight against sexism in sports, with widespread support for Hermoso and the hashtag #SeAcabó ('It's Over') gaining international traction.
Other high-ranking officials, including former national team coach Jorge Vilda, are also implicated for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to protect Rubiales and minimize the scandal.

Courrier International