Spain’s former football chief, Luis Rubiales, goes on trial on Monday over the controversial kiss he gave star forward Jenni Hermoso. The highly anticipated legal proceedings will see Hermoso take the stand to testify against Rubiales.
Global Outrage and Legal Action
The 47-year-old ex-president of the Spanish Football Federation sparked worldwide outrage after he cupped Hermoso’s head and gave her an unsolicited kiss following Spain’s victory over England in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Australia.
Prosecutors are seeking a total sentence of two and a half years in prison for Rubiales—one year for sexual assault due to the forced kiss and 18 months for alleged coercion of Hermoso. According to the indictment, the kiss was given “unexpectedly and without the consent or acceptance of the player.”
“Constant and repeated pressure was exerted directly on the player Jennifer Hermoso and through her family and friends with the aim of justifying and publicly approving the kiss that Luis Rubiales gave her against her will,” prosecutors stated in their legal filings.
Trial Proceedings and Key Figures
The trial, held at the National Court in San Fernando de Henares near Madrid, commenced at 10:00 am (0900 GMT) and is scheduled to run until February 19. Rubiales is set to testify on February 12, maintaining his stance that the kiss was merely an innocent “peck between friends celebrating” and denying any coercion.
Alongside Rubiales, three other individuals are also on trial—ex-women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, along with former federation officials Ruben Rivera and Albert Luque. They are accused of attempting to coerce Hermoso into downplaying the incident, with prosecutors seeking an 18-month jail sentence for each.
The Fallout: A Career and Legacy Tarnished
The scandal erupted on August 20, 2023, immediately after Spain’s historic World Cup triumph in Sydney. As Hermoso stepped onto the podium to receive her winner’s medal, Rubiales grabbed her head and kissed her on the lips before patting her back twice. The act drew swift condemnation, with critics deeming it an abuse of power and a violation of consent.
A recent reform in Spanish law classifies non-consensual kisses as sexual assault, further strengthening the case against Rubiales. The backlash led to his resignation in September 2023, just two days after the official investigation was launched. His tenure as federation chief, which began in 2018, ended in disgrace as allegations of corruption also surfaced during his leadership.
The Players’ Stand and Hermoso’s Testimony
The scandal overshadowed Spain’s monumental victory, igniting protests from players and fans alike. A new Netflix documentary, Se Acabó (It’s Over), delves into the controversy, showcasing the anger and frustration among Spanish women footballers.
Hermoso, Spain’s all-time top scorer who currently plays in Mexico, revealed in the documentary that she was deeply disturbed by the incident. She recalled crying after the kiss and facing immense pressure from the federation to publicly dismiss the act as harmless.
“The federation wanted me to appear in a video and say that the kiss was nothing, just joy and euphoria,” she revealed in the documentary, adding that the ordeal took an emotional toll on her.
A Defining Moment for Spanish Football
The trial of Rubiales represents a watershed moment for gender equality and power dynamics in sports. With legal proceedings underway, the case will test Spain’s legal framework on sexual assault and determine the accountability of those in influential positions. The outcome will also have lasting implications for the future of women’s football in Spain and beyond.
