Former Spanish football federation president, Luis Rubiales, has been fined for a World Cup kiss incident involving player Jenni Hermoso. The Spain’s High Court ruled that Rubiales was guilty of sexual assault for kissing Hermoso without her consent, ordering him to pay a fine of €10,800. However, he was acquitted of coercion for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to publicly state that the kiss was consensual. This incident took place as Spain’s players were celebrating their victory over England in Sydney to clinch the 2023 World Cup. Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips, sparking public outrage and calls for his resignation. Despite the verdict, Rubiales has vowed to appeal the ruling.
Verdict and Consequences
Apart from the fine, the court’s ruling also imposed restrictions on Rubiales, prohibiting him from being within a 200m radius of Hermoso and communicating with her for a year. Three of Rubiales’s former colleagues, including Jorge Vilda, coach of the World Cup-winning team, Rubén Rivera, the former head of marketing at RFEF, and Albert Luque, former sporting director, were cleared of any involvement in the alleged coercion. Prosecutors had pushed for a prison sentence for Rubiales, who maintained that the kiss was an “act of affection” and claimed that Hermoso had given him consent in the moment. However, Hermoso testified that she did not authorize the kiss, expressing how it had marred what should have been a joyous occasion.
Impact and Aftermath
The incident, witnessed by millions on television and at the stadium, fueled a movement within Spanish women’s football akin to the “Me Too” movement. Players spoke out against sexism and advocated for gender equality in the sport, spurred by the inappropriate behavior displayed by Rubiales. The scandal ultimately led to Rubiales’s resignation in September 2023, after facing mounting pressure and investigations from both Fifa and Spanish authorities. The case highlighted the importance of consent and respect in professional settings, shedding light on issues of power dynamics and gender disparities that persist in sports.
Rubiales’s actions not only violated Hermoso’s boundaries but also undermined the integrity of the women’s World Cup victory. The court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the consequences of disregarding consent and the impact of such behavior on individuals and broader societal norms. As the football world grapples with issues of harassment and misconduct, this case stands as a cautionary tale of the importance of upholding ethical standards and respecting the autonomy of all individuals involved.
