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Luis Rubiales, the former president of Spain's football federation (RFEF), went on trial this Monday February 3, accused of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women's World Cup celebrations.

 

At the time, the case sparked a national debate on sexism and consent in sport.

 

The trial, set to run until February 19, opened with Hermoso testifying in court. Having travelled from Mexico, where she plays club football, the Spanish striker reiterated that the kiss was non-consensual and that she felt “unprotected” by the federation after the incident.

 

She described how Rubiales “grabbed my head with force” and kissed her without asking permission.

 

The controversial moment occurred as Spain’s players received their medals after defeating England in the World Cup final in Sydney. While Rubiales maintained the kiss was mutual, Hermoso denied this, insisting she “felt disrespected” and that it was entirely out of place.

 

Beyond the kiss itself, the case also includes allegations of coercion. Prosecutors are calling for Rubiales to serve one year in prison for sexual assault and an additional 18 months for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to publicly state that the kiss was consensual. Rubiales has denied all charges.

 

Rubiales has also been investigated for a separate issue of corruption, leading to him briefly being arrested in April 2024.

 

Three of Rubiales’s former colleagues – World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda, former head of marketing Rubén Rivera, and ex-sporting director Albert Luque – are also on trial, accused of colluding in the alleged coercion. They too deny any wrongdoing.

 

The incident ignited widespread protests and calls for Rubiales’s resignation. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticised the behaviour, stating that it demonstrated the long road still ahead for gender equality in Spain. Initially defiant and dismissing criticism as part of a “fake feminism” movement, Rubiales ultimately resigned before legal proceedings were launched.

 

The controversy overshadowed Spain’s historic World Cup victory and raised concerns about the international reputation of Spanish football.

 

Image: RFEF