According to recent reports, a Spanish prosecutor is seeking a prison term for Luis Rubiales – the former football executive who kissed national player Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s victory in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Following Spain’s 1-0 final triumph over England last August in Sydney, Rubiales kissed Spanish striker Hermoso on the lips. However, Hermoso, later testified in court that the kiss was non-consensual. The Spanish court went on to impose a restraining order on the former Spanish FA president preventing him from coming within 200 metres of Jenni Hermoso in September 2023.
Marta Durantez, a prosecutor at Spain’s High Court, has charged Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion, each carrying jail terms of one year and one-and-a-half years, respectively.
Durantez has also accused former Spain women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, current sporting director Albert Luque, and federation marketing head Ruben Rivera of pressuring Hermoso into claiming the kiss was consensual. According to Reuters, all three denied any wrongdoing during their court appearance in Madrid.
Luis Rubiales: Prosecutors want jail for World Cup kiss https://t.co/hKwkNRaeNp
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 27, 2024
In addition to seeking damages of £43,000 from Rubiales for Hermoso, Durantez aims to secure another £43,000 to be jointly paid by Rubiales, Vilda, Luque, and Rivera.
If convicted, Rubiales might not necessarily serve jail time under Spain’s criminal code, which permits judges to suspend sentences not exceeding two years.
Rubiales was banned from all football-related activities for three years last October by FIFA, citing a breach of its disciplinary code after the incident and upheld the ban in January 2024 after denying Rubiales’ appeal. In January, a Spanish judge ruled that Rubiales should stand trial over the kiss.
Just over a week ago, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) headquarters and home of Rubiales was also searched as part of an investigation into an alleged corruption deal of up to £30m with regards to move the Supercopa de Espana games (Super Cup) to Saudi Arabia. According to reports, six people have been arrested and 11 properties have been raided across Spain in relation to these allegations of money laundering and corruption.