Spanish court mandates Rubiales to pay penalty for non-consensual kiss with Hermoso

On Thursday, Spain’s High Court ruled that Luis Rubiales, the former president of the football federation, was guilty of kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent, imposing a fine exceeding 10,000 euros, while acquitting him of any coercion charges.

Prosecutors had pursued a prison sentence for Rubiales in a case that ignited discussions across Spain regarding sexism within women’s football and the broader society.

“The ruling prohibits Rubiales from approaching Hermoso within 200 metres and from contacting her for a duration of one year,” the court stated in its announcement.

Rubiales faced allegations of sexual assault for kissing Hermoso on the lips. Furthermore, he was accused, alongside three other former officials from the soccer federation, of attempting to pressure her into claiming that the kiss, which took place during the 2023 World Cup awards in Sydney, was consensual.

A legal representative for Hermoso was not immediately available for further comment.