Court documents have indicated that if Luis Rubiales, the ex-chief of the Spanish football federation, is found guilty of forcefully kissing Jenni Hermoso, he could be looking at a two-and-a-half-year jail term. The incident, that involved Rubiales kissing Hermoso without her consent, happened during the awards ceremony following Spain’s victory against England in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney on 20th August. The event led to widespread disapproval worldwide and stirred a discussion about sexism in Spain. Despite Hermoso and her co-players stating the act was inappropriate, Rubiales insisted the kiss was consensual and denied any inappropriate conduct.
In addition to a charge of sexual assault carrying a one-year sentence, Rubiales also faces a coercion charge that could add another 18 months to his potential prison term. Prosecutor Marta Durantez, has implicated the former coach of the women’s national team, Jorge Vilda, Albert Luque, the Spanish federation’s (RFEF) sporting director, and Ruben Rivera, RFEF’s marketing chief, in the case. Durantez alleges the trio coerced Hermoso into affirming the kiss was consensual, describing it as a “persistent and recurring pressure” inflicted directly on the player as well as her friends and family. Each of these officials could face an 18-month sentence if found guilty. All three have pleaded not guilty when they presented themselves in court.
Besides direct charges, Durantez suggested Rubiales compensate Hermoso with €50,000 (£42,843), with a further €50,000 to be paid by Rubiales, Vilda, Luque, and Rivera. Durantez also solicited a restraining order that restricts Rubiales from contacting Hermoso or approaching her within 200 metres for the next seven-and-a-half years. But, Rubiales might not necessarily serve jail time if found guilty and sentenced as per the prosecutor’s recommendations. The Spanish criminal code gives judges the leeway to suspend jail terms under certain circumstances, such as if the imposed sentences are individually less than two years.
Moreover, last week the Spanish football federation pledged to investigate alleged anomalies in Rubiales’ conduct. In connection with an investigation into corruption and money laundering, authorities conducted a raid on the federation’s headquarters, with the federation assuring its full cooperation with the legal authorities.
British law enforcement officers recently undertook a search of a flat in Granada, connected to Luis Rubiales, formerly restrained from any football-related activities for three years starting from October due to his inappropriate behaviour during the World Cup finale. This revelation surfaced on Wednesday from an announcement made by the RFEF, indicating its governing body’s intention to scrutinise any potentially dubious contracts connected to the actions of their ex-president, Rubiales. RFEF expressed its complete detachment and condemnation from the actions of its previous president and all affiliated parties, further underlining the organisation’s integrity, detached from its leadership. RFEF stipulated that the institution of Spanish football transcends its erstwhile presidents and leaders. Information circulating in Spanish press alludes to last week’s raids having a connection to a 2022-initiated investigation looking into the RFEF’s decision to relocate the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. However, Rubiales, at the launch of the Super Cup probe in 2022, refuted any allegations of misconduct.