Luis Rubiales Found Guilty of Sexual Assault in Jenni Hermoso Case

The former Spanish football chief was fined and banned following a non-consensual kiss during the 2023 Women's World Cup, but questions remain over systemic issues in Spanish football.

Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish football federation, was found guilty of sexual assault for kissing Jenni Hermoso without consent during the 2023 Women's World Cup medal ceremony.
The court fined Rubiales €10,800, ordered him to stay 200 meters away from Hermoso for one year, and acquitted him of coercion charges related to pressuring Hermoso to say the kiss was consensual.
The case marked the first major test of Spain's new sexual consent laws, which emphasize that consent cannot be assumed by default or silence.
The incident sparked global outrage and highlighted deeply ingrained misogyny in Spanish football, leading to the dismissal of Rubiales and three other federation officials.
While the verdict is seen as a step forward for accountability, critics argue the punishment is too lenient, and Hermoso's lawyer has announced plans to appeal for further justice.