Courtesy of FIFA
On Feb. 20, Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation, was found guilty of sexually assaulting Jenni Hermoso, a player for the Spanish women’s soccer team. The decision came nearly two years after the original incident and after much outspoken support of Hermoso from players and fans. While the verdict brings some justice, Hermoso and others still want to do more.
In August of 2023, the Spanish women’s soccer team won their first Women’s World Cup. This triumphant moment made history and was filled with excitement and joy, for the most part. In the midst of the celebration, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso’s head and kissed her on the lips — an incident which was broadcast to millions. In court, Hermoso alleged that she did not give consent for the kiss and said that the event “stained one of the happiest days of my life.” Rubiales, on the other hand, testified that he was “absolutely sure” she had given permission beforehand and described the incident as an “act of affection” in a spontaneous moment of celebration, according to BBC.
Soon after, fellow players, politicians and soccer fans rose up in support of Hermoso and demanded Rubiales’ resignation.79 players on the Spanish women’s team signed a letter refusing to play for as long as he remained president of the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF). Players on both the men’s and women’s teams and fans from multiple leagues wore armbands and carried banners indicating their support for Hermoso. The Guardian reported that several politicians, including Spain’s vice president Yolanda Díaz, urged Rubiales to step down. In Barcelona, the Unitary Platform against Gender Violence organized a protest which drew nearly 250 people expressing similar sentiments. About a week later, Rubiales resigned as president of the RFEF and as the vice president of the Union of European Football Associations. The Féderation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) also took action against him, first with an investigation into his behavior, and later a three-year ban from all soccer activity on a national or international level.
Despite all of the backlash, Rubiales and the RFEF still vehemently denied any wrongdoing. In a speech after the incident, he refused to step down from his role and claimed to be the victim of “false feminism.” After eventually resigning, he claimed that the investigation was a “disproportionate campaign” against him. Furthermore, the RFEF threatened to sue Hermoso and other players for defamation and refusal to play, according to the Guardian. The RFEF later released a statement saying that Hermoso supposedly consented to the kiss as she had a close relationship with Rubiales. However, Hermoso released a statement in response saying that she never consented and was deeply hurt and uncomfortable by what happened. In the same statement, she claimed that the RFEF had been heavily pressuring her to come out with a statement justifying Rubiales’ actions, but that she refused to do so and go against the truth.
Legal action was first taken in early September of 2023 when Hermoso filed a criminal complaint against Rubiales. Then, in May of 2024, the Spanish High Court admitted the case, putting Rubiales on trial for sexual assault. Additionally, he and other former employees at RFEF were charged with coercing Hermoso into saying that the kiss had in fact been consensual.
Recently, the court came to a decision and Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault. He was ordered to pay a 10,800 euro fine ($11,796) and stay at least 200m (656ft) away from Hermoso for a year. However, Rubiales and his former colleagues were cleared of the charges of coercion.
After this decision, prosecutors have requested a retrial, claiming that the judge was not impartial and that he did not allow all evidence and questions to be admitted. The prosecutor’s office wants the trial to be conducted by a new judge who has less bias and to take “into account all the evidence admitted and adduced,” according to the New York Times. They also want Rubiales to be resentenced to two and a half years in prison and his three colleagues to receive one year and six months for coercion.
Since the incident and throughout the trial, Hermoso has remained strong in her position to share her story and find justice, despite the adversities. In doing so, she has become recognized for furthering the discussion of women’s rights in sports, as well as her impressive soccer career. At the end of 2024, she received the Sócrates award for starting the #SeAcabó (it is over) campaign and a global movement demanding better treatment of women in sports. The award recognizes soccer players who contribute to social movements. On top of her activism work, Hermoso is an excellent soccer player, though her achievements have been overshadowed by Rubiales’ behavior. In 2021, she was the top female goalscorer in the world and was awarded the Adidas Silver Ball award in 2023 for her performance in the Women’s World Cup.
Hermoso’s trial and career are still important and ever-changing, with players and fans continuing to support her. Only time will tell what further action will be taken against the accused and what this might mean for women’s sports.
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