Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has been found guilty of sexual assault for forcibly kissing Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s victory in the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The High Court in Madrid delivered the verdict on Thursday, February 20, marking a decisive moment in Spain‘s fight against sexism in sports.

The Court’s Verdict

Luis Rubiales was ordered to pay a €10,800 fine and has been prohibited from coming within 200 meters of Hermoso for one year. He must also pay Hermoso €3,000 in damages for the ‘moral harm caused.’ The court, led by Judge José Manuel Fernández-Prieto, ruled that the kiss had a clear sexual connotation and was non-consensual.

The court acquitted Rubiales of coercion charges, which alleged that he pressured Hermoso to publicly say the kiss was consensual. Despite Rubiales’ defense that the act was spontaneous and affectionate, the court found his behavior reprehensible.

While the verdict was welcomed by many, there has been criticism over the perceived leniency of the sentence. Prosecutors had initially sought a two-year prison term, but Rubiales received only a modest fine, leading some to question whether the legal system adequately reflects the severity of such acts. While nobody expected Rubiales to get prison time many are questioning the sentence and the dismissal of the coercion charges.

A Pattern of Unacceptable Behavior

The kiss was not an isolated incident, but the last straw, that was part of a broader pattern of inappropriate conduct by Rubiales. During the same World Cup celebrations, Rubiales made a crude groin gesture from the VIP box, standing next to Spain’s Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter. He was also seen throwing players over his shoulder in a manner that many deemed disrespectful. These actions painted a troubling picture of a leader who failed to uphold the professionalism expected in his role. The forced kiss became the breaking point, triggering widespread condemnation.

Jenni Hermoso’s Testimony

Hermoso testified that the kiss was unsolicited and deeply inappropriate, describing it as a violation that tainted one of the happiest moments of her life. Hermoso emphasized that the incident overshadowed Spain’s historic World Cup win and left her feeling powerless in a moment that should have been pure joy.

A Broader Crisis in Spanish Women’s Football

The Rubiales scandal was not the only issue within Spanish women’s football, as we mentioned above there was a pattern of unacceptable behavior. In 2022, 15 national team players refused call-ups, citing concerns over head coach Jorge Vilda’s management. Players criticized Vilda’s outdated methods, controlling behavior, and the toxic environment within the squad, including monitoring players’ personal lives that made them feel uncomfortable.

Despite player protests, the RFEF backed both Rubiales and Vilda, dismissing concerns as personal grievances. However, public outcry following the World Cup incident forced the Federation to reconsider. Vilda, who had openly supported Rubiales during the scandal, was eventually dismissed.

A Turning Point for Women’s Sports in Spain?

The guilty verdict against Rubiales is seen as a victory for women’s rights and a step toward addressing deep-rooted sexism in Spanish football. Advocates hope this case will set a precedent for holding powerful figures accountable and encourage reforms to create a safer, more respectful environment for female athletes.

Spain now faces the challenge of rebuilding trust within its national team and ensuring that the triumphs on the pitch are not overshadowed by misconduct off it.

At the time, many people—including plenty of women—dismissed Rubiales’ behaviour, calling it part of Spain’s ‘affectionate’ culture. While it’s true that Spanish people often greet with two kisses, these are usually light cheek-to-cheek gestures, not something you’d expect in a professional setting. So, if you’re in Spain and someone goes straight for your mouth, that’s not tradition—that’s just crossing the line.