Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), intends to appeal the fine he received for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent after the Women's World Cup final in August 2023. The incident, which occurred during the medal ceremony after Spain's victory over England, sparked widespread condemnation and ultimately led to Rubiales' resignation.
In February 2025, Spain's High Court found Rubiales guilty of sexual assault and ordered him to pay a fine of €10,800. The court also imposed a restraining order, prohibiting Rubiales from approaching Hermoso within a 200-meter radius or communicating with her for one year. However, he was acquitted of coercion, a charge related to allegations that he attempted to pressure Hermoso into publicly stating that the kiss was consensual. Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of two and a half years for Rubiales, but the court opted for a fine, considering the nature of the aggression.
Rubiales has maintained that the kiss was consensual and has expressed his intention to "keep fighting" the ruling. He told the court that he was "totally sure" Hermoso consented to the kiss, describing it as a "peck" between friends celebrating a victory. However, Hermoso has repeatedly stated that the kiss was not consensual and that she felt "disrespected" and unable to react at the moment. She testified that the incident "tainted one of the happiest days" of her life.
Hermoso also plans to appeal the verdict, according to her lawyer. While she acknowledges the guilty verdict for sexual assault, there are likely aspects of the ruling, potentially related to the lack of a prison sentence or the acquittal on the coercion charge, that she finds unsatisfactory.
The controversy surrounding the kiss has had a significant impact on both Rubiales and Hermoso. Rubiales was banned from all football-related activity for three years by FIFA and faced immense pressure to resign from his position as president of the RFEF. The incident also triggered a broader debate about sexism and macho culture in sports. Hermoso, on the other hand, has become a symbol of the fight against sexism and has received widespread support for speaking out against Rubiales' actions.
The court's ruling also acquitted three other defendants who were accused of attempting to coerce Hermoso into downplaying the incident: Jorge Vilda, former coach of Spain's women's national team; Albert Luque, former sports director of Spain's men's team; and Rubén Rivera, former head of marketing for the RFEF.
As both Rubiales and Hermoso pursue their appeals, the case continues to be a focal point in discussions about consent, sexual harassment, and the treatment of women in sports. The outcome of the appeals could have further implications for the individuals involved and for the broader fight against sexism in society.
