Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish Football Association is set to stand trial for allegedly kissing player Jenni Hermoso

The former president of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, is facing significant legal proceedings following an incident that occurred in the aftermath of Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final. The 46-year-old is set to stand trial for allegedly kissing female player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s 1-0 win over England. It has been reported that Hermoso, aged 34, testified in court that the kiss was not consensual, leading to Rubiales being charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of coercion. The severity of these allegations is reflected in the potential prison terms of one year and 18 months, respectively.

In addition to Rubiales, several other individuals associated with the Spanish football federation are also implicated in this case. The former coach of the women’s team, Jorge Vilda, the team’s current sporting director, Albert Luque, and the Spanish football federation’s head of marketing, Ruben Rivera, have all been accused of coercing Hermoso into stating that the kiss was consensual. This collective legal situation has certainly cast a shadow over the leadership and management of Spanish football.

Furthermore, the magnitude of this case is evident in the bail amounts that have been set. Rubiales, in particular, is faced with a substantial bail of €65,000 for the charge of sexual assault. Additionally, a joint bail of €65,000 has been established for Rubiales, Vilda, Luque, and Rivera concerning the coercion charge. It is also noteworthy that the case will be heard at the High Court due to the alleged offences taking place abroad, underlining the international ramifications of this incident.

The consequences of these allegations are not limited to the legal arena, as FIFA took decisive action in response to the incident. Rubiales was banned from all football-related activities for three years by the world football governing body, following an investigation that found he had breached article 13 of its disciplinary code by kissing Hermoso. This case has reverberated beyond Spain, impacting the global football community and raising important discussions about consent, appropriate conduct, and the responsibilities of individuals in positions of authority within sports organizations.