The Spanish High Court has convicted former football federation president Luis Rubiales for kissing Jenni Hermoso, the captain of Spain’s women’s national football team, without her consent. The incident took place during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final between Spain and England. Rubiales has been fined €10,000 (approximately Ksh 1.3 million) for his actions.
Court Rules Against Prison Sentence, Fines Rubiales Instead
Prosecutors had called for a prison sentence for Rubiales, 47, who faced significant backlash following the kiss at the World Cup awards ceremony in Sydney, which led to his resignation. However, the court decided against jail time, stating that the offense was of a minor nature, as no violence or intimidation was involved. As a result, Rubiales was given a monetary penalty instead of a custodial sentence.
The judge’s ruling explained that, considering the nature of the incident—a single kiss—the offense was seen as a spontaneous act, with no need for rehabilitation. The fine was deemed an appropriate punishment, given its relative seriousness compared to prison time.
Additional Measures and Compensation for Hermoso
In addition to the €10,000 fine, the court imposed further restrictions on Rubiales. He is banned from approaching Hermoso within 200 meters or communicating with her for a period of one year. Furthermore, Rubiales has been ordered to pay Hermoso €3,000 in compensation for the harm caused by his actions.
The court also acquitted three other individuals who had been accused of attempting to pressure Hermoso into falsely claiming that the kiss was consensual. The scandal surrounding the incident detracted from Spain’s historic victory in the Women’s World Cup, drawing global attention and controversy.
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