MADRID – A prosecutor at Spain’s High Court is seeking a prison sentence of 2½ years for former football federation chief Luis Rubiales over his unsolicited kiss on player Jennifer Hermoso, a court document seen by Reuters on March 27 showed.
Prosecutor Marta Durantez charged Rubiales with one count of sexual assault and one of coercion for his alleged actions in the aftermath of the kiss, offences carrying jail terms of one year and 18 months, respectively.
Rubiales, 46, grabbed Hermoso and kissed her on the lips on Aug 20, 2023, during the awards ceremony after Spain's victory in the Women's World Cup final in Sydney, making global headlines and sparking a national debate in Spain about sexism.
Hermoso and her teammates said the kiss was unwanted and demeaning, but Rubiales argued it was consensual and denied any wrongdoing.
The prosecutor also accused the former coach of the women’s national team, Jorge Vilda; the current sporting director of the Spanish federation (RFEF), Albert Luque; and the RFEF’s marketing chief, Ruben Rivera, of coercing Hermoso into saying the kiss was consensual.
The indictment said the three officials harassed Hermoso by exerting “constant and repeated acts of pressure” directly on the player and through her friends and family. They each face 18 months behind bars as well.
Durantez also said Rubiales should pay €50,000 (S$73,000) in damages to Hermoso, with another €50,000 to be jointly paid by Rubiales, Vilda, Luque and Rivera.
If convicted and sentenced as requested by the prosecutor, Rubiales would not necessarily have to go to prison. Spain’s criminal code allows judges to “exceptionally” suspend jail terms if – as in this case – none of the sentences imposed individually exceeds two years.
Rubiales has been named in a separate corruption probe that shook the RFEF last week, when police searched the federation's headquarters and an apartment belonging to him, arresting seven people.
A Spanish court has been investigating since June 2022 if he committed improper management when the RFEF agreed with former Barcelona player Gerard Pique’s Kosmos firm to move the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
Rubiales, who was in the Dominican Republic during last week’s searches, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and told El Espanol newspaper he would cooperate with the investigation.
World football governing body Fifa and its European counterpart Uefa have written to the RFEF requesting a detailed update. REUTERS
