Spanish prosecutors are pursuing a two-year and six-month prison sentence for former soccer chief Luis Rubiales, accusing him of giving an unwelcome kiss to star forward Jennifer Hermoso following Spain’s World Cup victory.
The Public Ministry has formally charged Rubiales, the disgraced ex-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), with sexual assault for kissing Hermoso “without consent or acceptance,” as stated in an indictment viewed by CNN.
The kiss, which was broadcast globally, cast a shadow over a momentous occasion for Spain’s women’s team, which was celebrating its inaugural World Cup triumph.
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Rubiales, who was the RFEF president at the time, faces charges of sexual assault and coercion for grabbing Jenni Hermoso, kissing her on the lips, and then slapping her twice on the back last August, prompting immediate global outrage over consent.
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Ms. Hermoso and her teammates expressed that the kiss was unwanted and demeaning.
Although Mr. Rubiales was compelled to step down, he has refuted any wrongdoing.
He was initially suspended by FIFA, the world football governing body, before resigning following weeks of refusal to step down.
Former Soccer Chief Luis Rubiales Faces Charges Over Unwanted Kiss
Rubiales described the kiss as “mutual” – a claim strongly denied by Hermoso – and stated that he is facing “excessive persecution” from authorities.
According to a court document seen by Reuters, prosecutor Marta Durantez charged Rubiales with one count of sexual assault and one of coercion for his alleged actions after the kiss.
The charges carry prison terms of one year and 18 months respectively.
Durantez also accused former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, the team’s current sporting director Albert Luque, and the federation’s head of marketing, Ruben Rivera, of coercing Hermoso into stating that the kiss was consensual.
The indictment mentioned that they harassed her through “constant and repeated acts of pressure,” including involving her friends and family.
All three denied wrongdoing when they appeared before the court and could face up to 18 months in jail if convicted.
Durantez also requested the four men to pay damages totaling €100,000 (£85,677; $108,000) to Hermoso, with Rubiales being asked to pay at least half of this amount.
She also requested a restraining order against Rubiales, preventing him from coming within 200 meters (656 feet) of Hermoso and from communicating with her for the next seven-and-a-half years.
The scandal marred a historic moment for Spain’s women’s team, which was celebrating its first-ever World Cup win at the time.
During the trophy presentation ceremony, Rubiales clasped Hermoso’s head between his hands and kissed her on the lips.
He was also criticized for grabbing his crotch while celebrating the win, standing next to Spain’s Queen Letizia and her daughter Princess Infanta Sofia.
Prosecutors have also accused Spain’s former women’s soccer coach Jorge Vilda, Spanish national team director Albert Luque, and the RFEF marketing director Rubén Rivera, of allegedly pressuring Hermoso to justify the kiss.
All four men are requested to compensate Hermoso with another $54,100.
Rubiales and the other three accused have each denied the charges against them in previous testimony, according to statements from the court’s prosecution service following their respective hearings.
The unwanted kiss and Rubiales’ staunch defense of it have elicited public outcry from all corners of Spanish society, including politicians and sports stars.
The incident has also ignited a discussion about the prevalence of “macho culture” in Spain, a country that has seen significant protests against sexual violence and sexism in recent years.
Rubiales’ initial refusal to resign also sparked strong solidarity among Spain’s female players.
The coaches of Spain’s women’s team resigned en masse, and over 80 Spanish soccer players signed a statement supporting Hermoso, stating that they would not return to the national team “if the current leaders continue” in their positions.
As the controversy continued, several soccer teams, both male and female, showed their support for Hermoso during their matches – some held up shirts, some wore wristbands, and others unfurled banners.
Last September, World Cup-winning manager Vilda was also dismissed from his role. He had been filmed appearing to inappropriately touch a female staff member during the Women’s World Cup Final.
He was replaced by Montse Tomé, the first woman in Spanish national team history to hold the position.
