Overview

• Spanish prosecutor Marta Durántez Gil has filed an appeal requesting a new trial against former football federation president Luis Rubiales, alleging judicial bias in the initial proceedings.
• Rubiales was previously convicted of sexual assault for forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women's World Cup medal ceremony and fined €10,800.
• The prosecutor criticized the initial ruling for preventing key witness questioning and described the penalties as disproportionately lenient given the nature of the offense.
• The initial court ruling categorized the act as a 'low-intensity' sexual assault under Spanish law, emphasizing the absence of violence or intimidation, and acquitted Rubiales of coercion charges.
• Jenni Hermoso, who has become a symbol of the fight against sexism in sports, testified about feeling disrespected and facing significant pressure to downplay the incident.