Spanish soccer player Jenni Hermoso (C) arrives to testify as witness in the first session of trial of Luis Rubiales (unseen), former president of the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF), at Audiencia Nacional Court, in the town of San Fernando de Henares, Madrid, Spain, 03 February 2025. EFE/Fernando Villar
Rubiales convicted of sexual assault over Hermoso kiss, acquitted of coercion
Madrid, Feb 20 (EFE).— A Spanish court has fined former football federation chief Luis Rubiales 10,800 euros ($10,437) for sexual assault after he forcibly kissed player Jennifer Hermoso during the 2023 Women’s World Cup celebrations.
However, he was acquitted of coercion, along with three former federation officials.
The coercion charge related to alleged efforts to pressure Hermoso into downplaying the incident. Also acquitted of coercion were former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, ex-Men’s Football director Albert Luque, and former federation marketing manager Rubén Rivera.
Former president of the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales at his arrival at Nacional Court during the fourth session of his trial for his non-consensual kiss to soccer player Jenni Hermoso after the team’s victory in World Soccer Cup’s final in Sydney (Australia), in the town of San Fernando de Henares, Madrid, Spain, 06 February 2025. EFE/ Fernando Villar
