Spain’s ex-football chief Rubiales faces two-and-a-half years in prison over World Cup kiss
- Luis Rubiales sparked outcry when he grabbed player Jenni Hermoso and kissed her on the lips at women’s World Cup awards ceremony in Sydney last year
- Prosecutor charged Rubiales with one count of sexual assault and one of coercion for his alleged actions in aftermath of the kiss
A prosecutor at Spain’s High Court is seeking a prison sentence of two-and-a-half years for former football federation chief Luis Rubiales over his unsolicited kiss on player Jenni Hermoso, a court document seen by Reuters on Wednesday showed.
Prosecutor Marta Durantez charged Rubiales with one count of sexual assault and one of coercion for his alleged actions in the aftermath of the kiss, offences carrying jail terms of one year and 18 months, respectively.
Hermoso and her teammates said the kiss was unwanted and demeaning, but Rubiales argued it was consensual and denied any wrongdoing.
The prosecutor also accused the former coach of the women’s national team, Jorge Vilda, the current sporting director of the Spanish federation (RFEF), Albert Luque, and the RFEF’s marketing chief, Ruben Rivera, of coercing Hermoso into saying the kiss was consensual.
The indictment said the three officials harassed Hermoso by exerting “constant and repeated acts of pressure” directly on the player and through her friends and family. They each face 18 months behind bars as well.
All three denied wrongdoing when they appeared before the court.
