MADRID (Reuters) – Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF), is going on trial accused of kissing player Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 women’s World Cup trophy presentation without her consent.
Here is background to the case:
WHO IS HE?
Rubiales, 47, was a defender with several lower league clubs in Spain and Hamilton Academical in Scotland until 2009. He became president of the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) before being elected to lead the RFEF in 2018. He vowed to modernise its structure, increase turnover and improve transparency.
Rubiales sacked Spain manager Julen Lopetegui two days before their 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia because the coach had a pre-agreement to join Real Madrid after the tournament. There was further controversy in 2022 when members of the Spanish women’s team mutinied against then coach Jorge Vilda. The RFEF backed Vilda who then cut 12 of the 15 players involved from the squad that went on to win the World Cup in 2023.
WHAT DID RUBIALES DO?
When the final whistle blew in Australia on Aug. 20, 2023, and Spain had beaten England 1-0, Rubiales grabbed his crotch in celebration while close to Spain’s Queen Letizia and 16-year-old Princess Sofia. When presenting Hermoso with her medal, he held the player on the head and kissed her lips.
Hermoso’s first reaction was to tell teammates: “Hey, I didn’t like it”, according to locker room footage. The federation cited her the next day as downplaying the incident, but she denied involvement in that statement and went on to say she did not agree to the kiss and was a victim of sexism.
Rubiales first called critics “idiots” then apologised. “Surely I was wrong, I have to admit,” he said in a video. “It was without bad faith at a time of maximum effusiveness.”
WHAT HAVE AUTHORITIES DONE?
World governing body FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales from football for 90 days. He refused to resign at first but later quit as pressure mounted. FIFA ultimately banned him from all football-related activities for three years.
HOW HAS HERMOSO REACTED?
In September 2023, Hermoso lodged a criminal complaint against Rubiales. Spanish prosecutor Marta Durantez then filed a complaint against Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion.
Even though Rubiales denied wrongdoing, the prosecutor requested a restraining order against him so he could not get within 500 metres of Hermoso.
In March 2024, Durantez charged Rubiales with one count of sexual assault and one of coercion, offences carrying jail terms of one year and one-and-a-half years, respectively. In May, a judge sent Rubiales to trial.
Former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, sporting director Albert Luque and federation marketing head Ruben Rivera are also accused of coercing Hermoso.
WHAT HAS THE REACTION BEEN?
Rubiales’ actions brought a torrent of public criticism in Spain and elsewhere, but also a backlash in some circles against feminism.
Spain’s socialist government has taken a tough line: Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz termed the kiss an “attack” while Equality Minister Irene Montero told Reuters: “We are sending the correct message to the world, that sexism is over.”
Within the game, numerous figures condemned Rubiales, including high-profile male personalities such as Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez. A group of 81 professionals, including the entire women’s World Cup-winning squad, said they would no longer play for the national side under the current leadership.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
All involved in the case, including Hermoso, Rubiales and his co-accused will have to testify in court.
Rubiales faces a potential prison term of up to 2-1/2 years, although in Spain those handed sentences under two years can usually escape incarceration by paying damages instead if they do not have prior convictions.
He can appeal the decision.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
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