The trial of Luis Rubiales, former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, starts in Madrid on Monday. After Spain won the women’s World Cup in August 2023, Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony. She says that the kiss was not consensual. Rubiales maintains that it was and, along with three of his colleagues, is alleged to have brought pressure to bear on Hermoso to change her story. If found guilty, Rubiales faces two and a half years in prison for sexual assault and coercion. His colleagues, accused only of coercion, could be sentenced to 18 months each.
A few minutes before the kiss, the camera shows Rubiales, next to Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, the Infanta Sofía, celebrating Spain’s victory by appearing to grab his crotch. Despite the outrage – national and international – he refused to resign. ‘I’m not going to resign,’ he repeated five times in an emotional speech
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in