Luis Rubiales: The Scandal that Shook Spanish Football
In a shocking turn of events, Spanish prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year jail sentence for Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spain’s football federation. The charges against him include sexual assault and coercion after he kissed female footballer Jenni Hermoso without her consent during Spain’s World Cup victory celebration last August.
The unwanted and demeaning kiss has caused outrage among Ms Hermoso and her teammates, who have described the incident as a violation. Mr Rubiales was forced to resign from his position but has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Prosecutor Marta Durantez has charged Mr Rubiales with one count of sexual assault and one count of coercion for his alleged actions following the kiss. If convicted, he could face prison terms of one year and 18 months, respectively. Ms Durantez has also accused the former coach of the women’s national team, Jorge Vilda, the team’s current sporting director, Albert Luque, and the federation’s head of marketing, Ruben Rivera, of pressuring Ms Hermoso into claiming that the kiss was consensual.
The indictment states that the accused individuals harassed Ms Hermoso through constant acts of pressure, even involving her friends and family. All three men have denied any wrongdoing. If convicted, they could face up to 18 months in jail.
In addition to the criminal charges, Ms Durantez is seeking damages amounting to €100,000 (£85,677; $108,000) for Ms Hermoso, with Mr Rubiales being responsible for at least half of this amount. Furthermore, she has requested a restraining order that would prohibit Mr Rubiales from coming within 200 meters (656 feet) of Ms Hermoso and from communicating with her for the next seven-and-a-half years.
This scandal has cast a dark shadow over Spain’s women’s team, which was celebrating its first-ever World Cup win at the time. The trophy presentation ceremony was marred by Mr Rubiales clasping Ms Hermoso’s head between his hands and kissing her on the lips. This incident ignited a wave of global anger towards sexism in women’s sport and led to boycotts of the national team by Spanish players, who demanded changes to be made in women’s football in the country.
The repercussions of this scandal were severe for Mr Rubiales. He was initially suspended by FIFA, the world football governing body, before eventually resigning as both head of Spain’s football federation and vice-president of UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) in September. In January, FIFA upheld a three-year ban from footballing activities for Mr Rubiales after he lodged an appeal.
In the aftermath of the scandal, Mr Vilda, the coach who led Spain’s women’s team to their World Cup victory, was also fired. However, he has since been appointed as the head coach for Morocco’s women’s team.
This scandal has not only tarnished the reputation of Spanish football but has also highlighted the urgent need for change in women’s sports. It serves as a stark reminder that gender equality and respect should be at the forefront of all sporting events. As the court case unfolds, it remains to be seen what consequences await those involved in this shocking incident.