Prosecutors from the Madrid prosecutor’s office have confirmed that they are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Luis Rubiales, the former soccer chief of Spain. Rubiales may stand trial for an alleged nonconsensual kiss that took place at the Women’s World Cup last year.
During the trophy ceremony after Spain’s 1-0 victory against England on August 20, 2023, Rubiales kissed Spanish soccer player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips without her consent. The incident was recorded both in video footage and photographs.
In October 2023, the former president of the Spanish soccer federation received a three-year ban from national and international soccer activities. This decision was made after the organization found that he had violated an article of FIFA’s disciplinary code due to the kiss incident.
Earlier this year, a judge determined that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial for Rubiales and three other former executives of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
Prosecutors have requested a two-and-a-half-year sentence for Rubiales, stating that he held the head of Hermoso without her consent and that the nonconsensual kiss had both personal and professional repercussions for the soccer player. Additionally, he may be subject to a fine of at least 50,000 euros ($54,000), according to ABC News.
Prosecutors have also filed a request to prohibit Rubiales from approaching Hermoso within a 200-meter radius and to forbid any form of communication between them.
Rubiales, who faced allegations of sexual assault and coercion, maintains that the kiss was consensual and vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
The prosecutor’s office has also sought a prison term of one-and-a-half years for the three former executives. According to the judge, it is possible that they exerted pressure on Hermoso to claim that the kiss was consensual.
The trial has yet to commence in the case.
