Spain’s former football chief, Luis Rubiales, is set to stand trial on Monday over the controversial forced kiss he gave to star forward Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup victory. The incident occurred in August 2023 when Rubiales, after Spain defeated England to win the title, cupped Hermoso’s head and kissed her on the lips without her consent, sparking worldwide outrage.
Rubiales faces two and a half years in prison, including one year for sexual assault for the forced kiss and an additional 18 months for allegedly coercing Hermoso to downplay the incident. Prosecutors argue that the kiss was “unexpected and without the consent or acceptance” of Hermoso, and that Rubiales pressured the player, as well as her family and friends, to publicly justify the kiss.
The trial, taking place at Spain’s National Court in San Fernando de Henares, will run until February 19. Rubiales is scheduled to testify on February 12. He has maintained that the kiss was a “peck between friends celebrating” and denies any coercion.
Also on trial are ex-national team coach Jorge Vilda and two former federation officials, Ruben Rivera and Albert Luque, who are accused of trying to pressure Hermoso into downplaying the incident as well. Prosecutors are seeking 18 months in prison for them.
The scandal that led to Rubiales’ downfall began moments after Spain’s World Cup victory when he kissed Hermoso during the medal ceremony. The incident was criticized as an abuse of power, and it led to a reform of Spain’s criminal code, which now classifies non-consensual kissing as sexual assault. Rubiales stepped down as head of Spain’s football federation in September 2023 amid the ongoing investigation.
In a Netflix documentary titled “Se Acabo” (“It’s Over”), Hermoso revealed her emotional distress following the kiss, explaining that she was pressured by the federation to downplay the incident in a video, stating it was simply an expression of joy and euphoria.
