Former president of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, is set to stand trial for an alleged incident involving a non-consensual kiss with player Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s victory in the women’s World Cup. Rubiales faces charges of sexual assault and coercion following the incident, which occurred following Spain’s triumph over England last August.
The 46-year-old is accused of kissing Hermoso on the lips without her consent, prompting her testimony in court against him. Rubiales vehemently denies any wrongdoing, asserting that the kiss was consensual. However, the Spanish High Court has determined that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial.
In addition to Rubiales, former coach Jorge Vilda, current sporting director Albert Luque, and marketing head Ruben Rivera will also stand trial for allegedly coercing Hermoso into stating that the kiss was consensual. The severity of the charges could result in significant prison terms for those found guilty.
The court has imposed a bail of €65,000 for the sexual assault charge against Rubiales, with an additional joint bail of €65,000 for the coercion charge, shared among all accused parties. Notably, the trial will take place at the High Court due to the alleged offences occurring abroad.
As this high-profile case unfolds, it underscores the importance of respecting boundaries and ensuring consent in all interactions, particularly within professional environments like sports. The outcome of the trial will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the realm of sports governance and gender dynamics within football.
2024-05-10
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