The former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, will stand trial for kissing Jenni Hermoso without her consent, according to the Spanish player herself, after winning the Women’s World Cup last year.
A Spanish National Court judge has confirmed that Luis Rubiales will stand trial over the controversial incident, which took place after the conclusion of the World Cup in which Spain won the women’s title for the first time.
“(Rubiales will be tried) for the non-consensual kiss of the Spanish national team player Jennifer Hermoso at the end of the World Cup final in Sydney on 20 August (2023) and for the subsequent coercion used to make her say publicly that it was consensual,” the court said in a statement detailing the charges.
The trial will take place at the Spanish National Court, a Madrid-based court that specialises in highly complex cases, according to Judge Francisco de Jorge. The prosecution has requested that Luis Rubiales be sentenced to two and a half years in prison: one year for the alleged crime of sexual assault and 18 months for coercion, to run concurrently.
The prosecution is also requesting an additional fine of €50,000 euros in compensation for the player, who currently plays for Tigres UANL Femenil in the Mexican women’s first division.
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The judge demanded that Mr Rubiales pay bail of 65,000 euros within 24 hours to cover “any civil liabilities he may be ordered to pay.” The judge also confirmed that the former Spanish women’s national team coach, Jorge Vilda, and two former federation officials will also stand trial for allegedly coercing Hermoso.
Rubiales, 46, sparked worldwide outrage when he gave Hermoso an unwanted kiss during the medal ceremony after Spain defeated England to win the World Cup in Australia last year. The former RFEF chief is also under investigation for alleged corruption during his time at the helm of the Spanish football federation. On 29 April, he appeared before the judge in Majadahonda (Madrid) who is investigating several corruption cases. He denied any wrongdoing and was released.