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Former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales is set to stand trial at Madrid's High Court starting Monday over his controversial kiss on the lips of Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup medal ceremony. The incident, which was broadcast globally, sparked a widespread backlash against sexism in football and led to Rubiales' downfall.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Rubiales, 47, faces charges of sexual assault and coercion, with prosecutors alleging he pressured Hermoso, 34, to publicly state that the kiss was consensual. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to 2.5 years in prison. However, in Spain, first-time offenders with sentences under two years can often avoid jail time by paying compensation.
In addition to Rubiales, former Spanish women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, former sporting director Albert Luque, and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) marketing head Ruben Rivera are also on trial for allegedly attempting to coerce Hermoso into supporting Rubiales’ version of events.
The Controversial Incident
The controversy unfolded on August 20, 2023, after Spain defeated England in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney. During the medal presentation, Rubiales lifted Hermoso off her feet and kissed her on the lips. Video footage later showed Hermoso expressing her discomfort to teammates, saying, "Hey, I didn’t like it."
Prosecutors claim that Hermoso was later pressured to downplay the incident. Allegedly, she was asked to sign a statement in support of Rubiales while on the team bus, which she refused. Further claims suggest that her brother was approached on the flight back to Madrid and warned that Hermoso’s career could be affected if she did not support Rubiales' claim that the kiss was consensual.
Public and Institutional Reaction
Initially, Rubiales dismissed criticism, calling his detractors "idiots." He later issued an apology, claiming the kiss was "without bad faith at a moment of maximum excitement." Despite his defense, widespread protests and condemnation followed, leading to his resignation as RFEF president. FIFA subsequently banned him from football-related activities for three years.
The scandal fueled the feminist movement in Spain, with many seeing it as emblematic of deep-rooted sexism in football. Spanish government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz and Equality Minister Irene Montero, condemned Rubiales' actions, calling them an "attack" on women in sport.
Ongoing Investigations and Fallout
Rubiales and his successor at the RFEF, Pedro Rocha, are also under investigation for alleged corruption in a separate case. Meanwhile, Hermoso's teammates staged a boycott of the national team until significant changes were made within the federation.
As the trial unfolds, key witnesses, including Hermoso and her teammates, are expected to testify. Rubiales' defense is set to argue that the kiss was mutual and non-malicious, while the prosecution maintains that it was an abuse of power.
The case has become a landmark moment in Spanish football, underscoring the ongoing battle against sexism and power imbalances in the sport. With global attention on the proceedings, the verdict could have significant ramifications for the future of gender equality in football.
