Jenni Hermoso to appeal Luis Rubiales World Cup kiss verdict

Jenni Hermoso will appeal the verdict in the case against former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales, who was fined after being found guilty of a forced kiss during the 2023 Women’s World Cup celebrations, her lawyer confirmed.

“It is her intention to appeal,” said Hermoso’s lawyer, Ángel Chavarría.

The case, which sent shockwaves through Spanish football, saw prosecutors initially seek a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales—one year for sexual assault and 18 months for coercion, alleging he pressured Hermoso to downplay the incident.

On Thursday, a judge at Spain’s High Court found Rubiales guilty of sexual assault and fined him €10,800 ($11,300) but ruled out a prison sentence.

However, he was acquitted of coercion, as the court found insufficient evidence that he pressured Hermoso into publicly stating the kiss was consensual.

Following the verdict, Rubiales, 47, announced his intention to appeal.

In his ruling, the judge emphasized that kissing a woman on the mouth “is not a normal form of greeting between individuals without a sentimental relationship” and ruled that Rubiales had violated Hermoso’s “sexual freedom” without her consent.

Video footage of the incident, which sparked global outrage, shows Rubiales grabbing Hermoso’s head and kissing her on the lips during the medal ceremony in Sydney. He then gave her two slaps on the back before releasing her.

Rubiales has consistently denied wrongdoing, telling the court he was “totally sure” that Hermoso consented to the kiss and refuting claims that he pressured her afterward.

The scandal led to Rubiales’ resignation and intensified discussions on sexism and macho culture in football. In response to the ruling, Spanish Justice Minister Félix Bolaños praised Hermoso’s courage in pursuing the case.

“We must all be grateful to Jenni, because she took an initiative, in a very difficult moment, to defend the rights and freedom of women and to emphasize that this society, our Spanish society, no longer admits any type of abuse, no longer admits any type of sexual assault,” he said.

“One thing is clear, a non-consensual kiss is sexual assault, period,” he added.