Former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales is set to stand trial today, Monday, over the controversial unsolicited kiss he gave star forward Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s historic victory at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The incident, which triggered global outrage, will now be legally scrutinized, with Hermoso scheduled to testify.
The 47-year-old ex-president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) came under fire after grabbing Hermoso’s head and kissing her on the lips during the medal ceremony in Sydney, moments after Spain’s triumph over England. Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales—one year for sexual assault related to the forced kiss and 18 months for coercion, as they allege he pressured Hermoso to publicly downplay the incident.
According to court documents, the kiss was “unexpected and without the consent or acceptance of the player,” while Hermoso and her close circle were subjected to repeated pressure to justify the act. The high-profile trial begins at Spain’s National Court in San Fernando de Henares, with hearings expected to continue until February 19. Rubiales is set to take the stand on February 12 and has repeatedly defended his actions, calling the kiss an innocent gesture between friends celebrating.
Also facing trial alongside Rubiales are former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda and two ex-RFEF officials, Rubén Rivera and Albert Luque, who are accused of attempting to coerce Hermoso into backing Rubiales. Prosecutors are seeking an 18-month jail sentence for the three.
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The scandal, which shook Spanish football and ultimately ended Rubiales’ career, erupted on August 20, 2023, overshadowing Spain’s first-ever Women’s World Cup victory. As Hermoso stepped forward to receive her winner’s medal, Rubiales grabbed her head, kissed her on the lips, and patted her on the back—actions widely condemned as an abuse of power. The case gained even more traction due to Spain’s updated sexual assault laws, which classify non-consensual kisses as a crime.
Rubiales initially resisted calls to resign but eventually stepped down in September 2023, after Spanish authorities launched an official investigation. He was already facing corruption allegations related to his tenure as RFEF chief, a position he had held since 2018.
In a recent Netflix documentary titled “Se Acabó” (It’s Over), Hermoso revealed she was left in tears after the incident, further exposing the intense pressure she faced to protect Rubiales. The all-time top scorer for Spain’s national women’s team, now playing in Mexico, disclosed that RFEF officials had pushed her to appear in a video stating that the kiss was simply a result of euphoria and joy.
With the trial now underway, the case is expected to be a defining moment in Spain’s fight against sexual misconduct in sports, potentially setting a precedent for athlete protection and accountability at the highest levels of football governance.