From World Cup glory to courtroom disgrace: Ex-Spanish football president FINED for 18 MONTHS over Jenni Hermoso kiss-gate scandal

Luis Rubiales, the now-infamous former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has been handed an 18-month sentence along with a €10,800 fine by Spain’s National Court following the scandal that rocked the sporting world.

According to AS, the decision was officially upheld this week by the Criminal Division of the National Court, after multiple appeals.

The sentence comes as a direct result of Rubiales’ non-consensual kiss on Jennifer Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain’s historic win at the 2022 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia. 

According to the ruling, the court also ordered Rubiales to maintain a minimum distance of 200 metres from Hermoso and to pay €3,000 in compensation for non-material damages.

Though Rubiales’ defence team desperately attempted to overturn the verdict, the court dismissed his appeal, standing firm against what many viewed as a blatant abuse of power in Spanish football.

Despite this, former national women’s coach Jorge Vilda, former men’s sports director Albert Luque, and RFEF marketing official Rubén Rivera were all acquitted of coercion charges. 

The scandal involving former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales and international footballer Jenni Hermoso has become a defining moment in conversations surrounding consent, gender dynamics, and power structures in football. 

What began as an apparent celebration quickly spiralled into a far-reaching legal and cultural crisis, ultimately culminating in a criminal conviction.

The controversy erupted on August 20, 2023, moments after Spain clinched their historic victory in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Sydney. 

During the medal ceremony, Luis Rubiales appeared to forcefully kiss Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips. 

The unsolicited kiss was captured live on TV, quickly igniting backlash across the footballing world and beyond. 

Hermoso later confirmed that the kiss was non-consensual, explaining that she felt "vulnerable" and "disrespected" by Rubiales’ actions.

Despite widespread condemnation from players, government officials, and feminist organisations, Rubiales initially refused to resign.

However, the pressure mounted. FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales, and the Spanish Football Federation eventually distanced itself from him. 

In September 2023, Rubiales finally stepped down from his role as RFEF president after weeks of intense scrutiny and protests.

What began as a public relations nightmare soon escalated into a legal battle. 

Spanish prosecutors pursued sexual assault and coercion charges against Rubiales, as well as three other high-ranking football officials, including former national team coach Jorge Vilda.