Football: 2023 Women’s World Cup Kiss
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The Former President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, has been found guilty by Spain’s High Court of sexual assault for kissing the player, Jenni Hermoso, without her consent, and fined €10,800.
He was also ordered by the Court not to go within a 200-metre radius of Hermoso and also from communicating with her for one year.
Prosecutors had demanded that Rubiales be given a prison sentence.
The incident occurred at the end of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Sydney, in which Spain defeated England, when the medals were being presented. He grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips.
Rubiales was, however, acquitted of a charge of coercion for allegedly trying to pressure Hermoso into stating publicly that the kiss was consensual.
Rubiales has described the kiss as an “act of affection” and “something completely spontaneous” and has stated that he would appeal against the Court’s ruling.
He has always claimed that the kiss was consensual; whereas Hermoso has always claimed the contrary and that the incident had “stained one of the happiest days of my life.”
Rubiales resigned in September 2023, after FIFA, the World Governing Body of Association Football, suspended him.
It will be interesting to see what happens next in this unhappy affair!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
