June 26 – Luis Rubiales’ spectacular fall from grace hit another low on Wednesday as a Spanish court upheld his sexual assault conviction for forcibly kissing Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
The former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President failed in his appeal against the €10,800 fine, cementing his status as one of football’s most toxic figures after what should have been Spanish women’s football’s greatest triumph.
The Audiencia Nacional found the kiss non-consensual, rejecting Rubiales’ defense that it was an “act of affection” and “completely spontaneous.” The court noted he “restrained himself” with other players and “could also have done so, without too much effort, with the captain.”
That moment of madness – grabbing Hermoso’s head and kissing her on the lips as cameras rolled – didn’t just cost Rubiales €10,800. It obliterated his career and triggered a uprising that shook Spanish football to its core.
Rubiales initially doubled down, refusing to resign despite mounting pressure. His defiant “I will not resign” speech only poured gasoline on the fire, sparking nationwide protests and international condemnation.
The Spanish women’s team went on strike, refusing to play for their country while he remained in power. Star players backed Hermoso, who testified the kiss “disrespected” her and “stained one of the happiest days” of her life.
FIFA suspended him within days. Spain’s government moved to remove him from office. Sponsors fled. His own federation turned against him.
By September 2023, Rubiales was forced to resign in disgrace. His dreams of leading Spanish football lay in tatters, replaced by a restraining order keeping him 200 meters from Hermoso for a year.
The man who once sat atop Spanish football now faces potential criminal charges in other jurisdictions and has become a global pariah – all for a few seconds of gross misconduct that he still claims was innocent.
Prosecutors had pushed for jail time and a retrial, but the court dismissed their appeal. They also failed to secure coercion convictions against three federation officials – coach Jorge Vilda, marketing executive Rubén Rivera, and sporting director Albert Luque – who were allegedly involved in pressuring Hermoso to downplay the incident.
Rubiales’ legacy is now permanently stained: the man who turned Spain’s World Cup celebration into a MeToo moment that reverberated far beyond football.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, moc.l1750950686labto1750950686ofdlr1750950686owedi1750950686sni@r1750950686etsbe1750950686w.kci1750950686n1750950686