Former Spanish soccer president Luis Rubiales is facing a sexual assault case following an incident at the Women’s World Cup that shocked the sports world. Spanish player Jenni Hermoso appeared in court to provide her testimony on the alleged assault, which occurred after Spain’s victory over England in the final match in Sydney last August.
The incident involved Rubiales kissing Hermoso on the lips, leading to widespread outrage and one of the worst crises in Spanish soccer history. The aftermath of the kiss saw a boycott of the national team by World Cup-winning players and eventually led to Rubiales’s resignation, despite his denial of wrongdoing and his claim that the kiss was consensual.
Hermoso, Spain’s women’s team’s record scorer, reiterated in court her allegations that the kiss was unwanted. She also accused Rubiales and his staff of trying to pressure her and her family into downplaying the incident, which had tarnished Spain’s first Women’s World Cup title.
The court proceedings took place behind closed doors, as Hermoso had requested to keep her appearance as private as possible. Spanish state prosecutors have charged Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion, alleging that he attempted to convince Hermoso and her relatives to publicly downplay the kiss.
Aside from Hermoso’s testimony, the judge is hearing from other World Cup-winning players, coaches, and federation officials before deciding whether to proceed with a trial. Rubiales had previously been issued a restraining order, preventing him from contacting Hermoso.
The fallout from the incident has taken a toll on Hermoso, as she revealed last year that she received threats in connection with the kiss. However, she also became a prominent figure in Spain for coming forward to denounce the kiss and support the “Me Too” movement in the country.
The boycott of the national team by World Cup-winning players ended after they were given assurances of change within the federation following government intervention. A new sexual consent law passed last year could result in Rubiales facing fines or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty. This law eliminated the distinction between “sexual harassment” and “sexual assault,” sanctioning any unconsented sexual act.
FIFA had banned Rubiales for three years, a ban that will expire before the next women’s tournament in 2027. He resigned from his position as the federation president and as a UEFA vice president on September 10, following mounting pressure from lawmakers and players.
The court proceedings surrounding this high-profile case continue, with many closely watching the outcome as it could have significant implications for the future of women’s soccer and the treatment of sexual assault allegations in the sport.
