Ex Spanish football chief guilty of sexual assault, fined for Hermoso kiss

Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), was found guilty of sexual assault on Thursday for kissing Spanish women's international midfielder Jenni Hermoso and given a fine of 10,800 euros, reported Xinhua.

The Spanish High Court (Audiencia Nacional) ordered Rubiales to pay 20 euros a day to Hermoso for 18 months after he gave her an unsolicited kiss on the lips in the celebrations following Spain's 1-0 win over England in the Women's World Cup final in Australia in August 2023.

The former RFEF president was also bound not to go within 200 meters of Hermoso or attempt to contact her for 12 months.

The court found Rubiales not guilty of coercion, for allegedly attempting to pressure Hermoso (and members of her family) to say the kiss had been consensual in the days following the incident.

Former coach Jorge Vilda, the RFEF's former head of marketing Ruben Rivera and former sporting director Albert Luque were also cleared of coercion.

During the trial, Rubiales had insisted on his innocence, saying the kiss was a "spontaneous (...) act of affection" towards Hermoso, who had missed a penalty in the final, and that he was "absolutely sure," she had given him permission.

The player denied this was case, saying the incident had spoiled one of the "happiest days" of her life and adding her life had been "put on hold" ever since.

Rubiales was forced to resign in the weeks following the incident in the face of ever-increasing public and political pressure.