Luis Rubiales Faces Possible Jail Time as Prosecutors Appeal Verdict

Spanish prosecutors have called for a retrial in the case of former football federation president Luis Rubiales, who was found guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent.

In February, Rubiales was fined €10,800 (£9,052) but was acquitted of coercion, despite allegations that he pressured Hermoso into publicly declaring the kiss consensual. Prosecutors are now appealing the verdict, seeking a harsher sentence, including jail time, and have requested a retrial under a different judge, arguing that the initial ruling was biased in Rubiales’s favour.

The incident occurred as Spain’s players received their medals after winning the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Sydney, with Rubiales grabbing Hermoso’s head and kissing her on the lips in front of millions of viewers. The act sparked widespread outrage, leading to protests and demands for his resignation.

Rubiales, 47, has stated his intention to appeal the guilty verdict. Meanwhile, three of his former colleagues—World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda, ex-RFEF marketing chief Rubén Rivera, and former sporting director Albert Luque—were all cleared of collusion in the alleged coercion.

The court ruling also prohibits Rubiales from coming within 200 meters of Hermoso or contacting her for a year. During the trial, he insisted the kiss was a spontaneous act of affection and claimed he was “absolutely sure” Hermoso had consented. However, Hermoso testified that she had not and that the incident “stained one of the happiest days of my life.”

The case fueled a broader movement in Spanish women’s football, with players pushing for equality and an end to sexism in the sport. After weeks of resisting calls to step down, Rubiales resigned in September 2023 following a FIFA suspension. Prosecutors first filed charges against him in early 2024.