A judge in Spain has ruled that Luis Rubiales, the former president of Spain’s soccer federation, will stand trial for kissing star player Jenni Hermoso without her consent during the team’s celebration after winning the World Cup.
Key Takeaway
Luis Rubiales, former president of Spain’s soccer federation, is set to face trial for kissing star player Jenni Hermoso without her consent during the World Cup celebration. The judge’s ruling allows criminal proceedings to continue, and if convicted, Rubiales could face one to four years in prison under Spain’s new consent laws.
Investigative Judge’s Ruling
The ruling was made by investigative judge Francisco de Jorge after hearings at Spain’s high court in Madrid. The judge concluded that the August 2023 kiss was “not consensual” and was “carried out unilaterally and in a surprising fashion,” allowing criminal proceedings to continue against Rubiales.
Testimony and Prosecution
The decision follows days of testimony, including from 33-year-old Hermoso herself, who recounted the incident in front of the court. She claimed that Rubiales and several soccer officials pressured her to say the kiss was consensual. Prosecutors now have 10 days to formally request a trial, which they are expected to do.
Potential Conviction and Resignation
If convicted under Spain’s new (2022) consent laws, Rubiales could face between one and four years behind bars. He resigned from his position in September 2023, almost a month after the kiss and subsequent outrage from across the world. Rubiales has issued multiple apologies but has also maintained he did nothing wrong.
