Former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales will be tried in February 2025 by a Madrid court “for the non-consensual kiss” of player Jenni Hermoso, the Spanish court announced this Monday (17).
Between the 3rd and 19th of February next year, the National Audience “marked the trial of the former president of the Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales” for sexual assault and coercion for the forced kiss he gave the player at the end of the Women’s World Cup in Australia, the agency said in a statement.
Also in the dock will be the former coach of the women’s team Jorge Vilda, the team’s former sporting director Albert Luque and the team’s then-marketing manager Rubén Rivera, who allegedly pressured Hermoso to minimize the importance of the kiss.
The trial will take place in San Fernando de Henares, east of Madrid.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office is asking for 2.5 years in prison for Rubiales, for the crime of sexual assault and coercion, in addition to two more years of supervised release after serving the prison sentence, a ban on communicating or approaching Hermoso for four years and compensation for 50 thousand euros (R$ 286 thousand at current prices) to the athlete.
As for Vilda, Luque and Rivera, the MP requests one year and six months in prison.
On August 20, Rubiales kissed the striker on the mouth in front of cameras around the world, just minutes after the Spanish team’s victory in Sydney in the women’s World Cup final.
The episode caused a wave of indignation in Spain and abroad, with the then leader resigning from his position the following month.
Since the recent reform of the Spanish Penal Code, a non-consensual kiss can be considered sexual assault, a criminal category that groups all types of sexual violence.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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