Former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales has been convicted of sexual assault over the forced kiss he gave star forward Jenni Hermoso, fining him €10,800 ($11,300).
However, the Spanish court acquitted him and three other accused individuals of coercion charges.
Prosecutors had demanded 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.
Rubiales was accused of sexual assault for kissing Hermoso in 2023 following Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph in Australia, as well as coercion for allegedly trying to force her to dismiss the significance of the incident.
The global condemnation over the kiss forced Rubiales to resign in disgrace, drawing attention to the prevalence of macho culture and sexism in sports.
Hermoso, 34, testified on the opening day of the trial on 3 February, saying she felt “disrespected” after a non-consensual kiss that “should not happen in any social or workplace setting.”
However, Rubiales, 47, told the Spanish court on Tuesday that he was “totally sure” Hermoso had consented to the kiss as she stepped up to receive her winner’s medal. He denied pressuring her after the incident, which was broadcast live worldwide.
He conceded he “made a mistake” on the stage, adding he should have “adopted a more formal role,” but asserted no wrongdoing had occurred.
Rubiales’ court testimony contrasted with his defiance when the matter first surfaced.
During an emergency federation meeting in August 2023, he downplayed the significance of the kiss, rejected calls for his resignation, and condemned “false feminism.”
Rubiales resigned in September 2023, after FIFA suspended him and Spanish authorities opened a probe into suspected sexual assault.
He had served as president of the federation since 2018.
Hermoso, the all-time leading scorer for Spain’s women’s team, now plays for Mexican club Tigres.
She was not immediately called up to the national squad following the World Cup, but new coach Montse Tomé said the decision was “to protect” her rather than “punishment.”
