Jenni Hermoso, a star player on the Women’s World Cup team for Spain, is accusing former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales of sexual assault. The incident occurred during a trophy presentation ceremony celebrating Spain’s first ever World Cup win on August 20, 2023. Ms. Hermoso described the kiss as unwanted and sparked a national conversation about sexism in Spain.
Rubiales, along with the former coach of the women’s national team, Jorge Vilda, the team’s sporting director, Albert Luque, and the federation’s head of marketing, Ruben Rivera, are all facing charges of coercion in addition to the sexual assault charge. They are accused of pressuring Ms. Hermoso to claim that the kiss was consensual.
The trial will take place at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid, with a bail set for Rubiales and his co-accused to cover any potential civil liabilities. If convicted, they could face lengthy prison sentences. The date for the trial has not yet been confirmed.