Prosecutor Marta Durantez has charged former Spanish football federation head Luis Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion for kissing female footballer Jenni Hermoso without her consent following Spain’s World Cup victory. Rubiales, who denied any wrongdoing, was forced to resign from his position after the incident overshadowed the historic achievement of Spain’s women’s team, which had won its first ever World Cup at the time.
Durantez is seeking €100,000 in damages for Hermoso and has requested a restraining order against Rubiales, preventing him from coming within 200m of Hermoso and contacting her for the next seven-and-a-half years. The incident prompted global outrage over sexism in women’s sports and led to Rubiales’ suspension by Fifa and his subsequent resignation from both the Spanish football federation and Uefa in September.
Rubiales’ behavior during the trophy presentation, including the unwanted kiss and inappropriate gestures, sparked calls for changes in women’s football in Spain. Players boycotted national team events as a result of his actions. The scandal brought attention to issues of sexism and misconduct in sports, emphasizing the importance of respecting boundaries and consent in all aspects of the game.
