The former Spanish FA president, Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexual assault following his forcible kiss of Jenni Hermoso.
Spain’s High Court ruled on Thursday that former football federation president Luis Rubiales was guilty of sexual assault for forcibly kissing Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso without her consent.
The court imposed a fine exceeding €10,000 ($10,434) but cleared Rubiales of coercion charges.
Prosecutors had initially pushed for a prison sentence in a case that ignited widespread discussions in Spain regarding sexism in women’s football.
In its statement, the court announced, “The ruling prohibits Rubiales from approaching within 200 meters (656 feet) of Hermoso or communicating with her for one year.”
The 47-year-old was accused of sexual assault after kissing Hermoso on the lips during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup awards ceremony in Sydney.
Additionally, Rubiales and three former soccer federation officials were accused of trying to pressure Hermoso into stating that the kiss had been consensual.
Following the controversy, Rubiales stepped down three weeks later and was subsequently handed a three-year ban by FIFA.
Hermoso has consistently maintained that she did not give consent, while Rubiales insists that the kiss was mutual and denies any wrongdoing.
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