Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish Football Federation, was found guilty of sexual assault after kissing player Jenni Hermoso without consent during the 2023 Women's World Cup medal ceremony. He received a fine and a one-year ban from contact with Hermoso. Although Rubiales claimed the kiss was consensual, he was acquitted of coercion. This incident is part of a broader narrative of discontent in Spanish women's football, marked by player revolts and managerial controversies, reflecting deeper systemic issues in the sport.
On Thursday, Spain's High Court found that the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) kissed Jenni Hermoso without consent during the medal ceremony after Spain won the Women's World Cup in August 2023.
Rubiales was acquitted of coercion - for allegedly trying to pressure Hermoso into saying publicly that the kiss was consensual.
Rubiales has always maintained the kiss was consensual, but he has been fined and banned from communicating with Hermoso for one year.
The fallout from the incident represents years of discontent behind the scenes within women's football in Spain, highlighting long-standing issues regarding player management.
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