Luis Rubiales, the former president of Spain's football federation, has been convicted of sexual assault and fined for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent during the wild celebrations following Spain's 2023 World Cup victory. This incident has heightened scrutiny around issues of consent in sports environments.
Luis Rubiales Penalized Following Non-Consensual Kiss During World Cup Celebration
Luis Rubiales Penalized Following Non-Consensual Kiss During World Cup Celebration
Ex-Spanish football chief fined for sexual assault on player Jenni Hermoso, sparking wider discussions on consent in sports.
In a ruling made by Spain's High Court, Rubiales has been ordered to pay a €10,800 fine for kissing Hermoso, which has captured global attention after he forcibly grabbed her and kissed her during the medal presentation. While he was exonerated from coercion charges, the court enforced a restraining order against him, prohibiting any contact with Hermoso for a year and restricting him from being within a 200-meter radius of her.
The incident unfolded right after Spain's national team triumphed over England, and the kiss was broadcast to millions. This sparked widespread outrage, leading to protests and calls for Rubiales' resignation. Multiple players rallied behind Hermoso, initiating a broader conversation on sexism in sports. Rubiales initially resisted calls to step down but eventually resigned in September 2023, following pressure from FIFA and the public.
Throughout the trial, Hermoso maintained that the kiss damaged one of the most significant moments of her career, while Rubiales defended his actions as an innocent display of affection. His legal team had argued for acquittal based on claims of mutual consent, but the court's findings have emboldened the movement against sexual misconduct and discrimination within sports, echoing themes from the global #MeToo movement.
This case has now become emblematic of a much larger issue within the culture of sports, advocating for more stringent measures on consent and accountability for those in positions of power.
The incident unfolded right after Spain's national team triumphed over England, and the kiss was broadcast to millions. This sparked widespread outrage, leading to protests and calls for Rubiales' resignation. Multiple players rallied behind Hermoso, initiating a broader conversation on sexism in sports. Rubiales initially resisted calls to step down but eventually resigned in September 2023, following pressure from FIFA and the public.
Throughout the trial, Hermoso maintained that the kiss damaged one of the most significant moments of her career, while Rubiales defended his actions as an innocent display of affection. His legal team had argued for acquittal based on claims of mutual consent, but the court's findings have emboldened the movement against sexual misconduct and discrimination within sports, echoing themes from the global #MeToo movement.
This case has now become emblematic of a much larger issue within the culture of sports, advocating for more stringent measures on consent and accountability for those in positions of power.
