Luis Rubiales: Spain’s former soccer federation boss guilty of sexual assault over World Cup kiss
Spain’s former soccer federation boss Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent, and has been fined over 10,000 euros ($A16,000) but the high court has acquitted him of coercion.
Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence for Rubiales in a case that sparked a debate in Spain about sexism in women’s football and wider Spanish society.
“The ruling bans Rubiales from going within a 200-metre radius of Hermoso and from communicating with her for one year,” the court said in a statement on Thursday.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Rubiales, 47, was accused of sexual assault for kissing Hermoso on the mouth.
He was also accused — along with three other former soccer federation officials — of attempting to then coerce her into saying the kiss, at the victory ceremony after Spain’s win in the 2023 World Cup final in Sydney, was consensual.
Originally published on Reuters
