Table of Contents
- Luis Rubiales kiss incident sparked outrage in Spain
- He planted a deep kiss on Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso in August 2023
- Rubiales defended his actions saying it was all consensual but Hermoso denied this
The infamous Luis Rubiales kiss could be headed for retrial, multiple Spanish media outlets report.
This new development follows a request by prosecutors to the court on Thursday to have a retrial of the case.
Rubiales forcefully kissed Jenni Hermoso in 2023 during his tenure as the Royal Spanish Football Federation President.
Audiencia Nacional, Spain’s highest criminal court in February 2025 fined Rubiales over the incident. The judge found the federation’s ex-chief guilty of s3xual assault.
He fined Rubiales $11,670 (10,800 euros) in place of jail term. However, Spanish feminists faulted the judgment stating that it was too lenient on the ex-chief.
Trial prosecutors were pushing for a maximum jail time of 18 months citing his coercion on Hermoso to ‘play it cool’ with the kiss.
Luis Rubiales Kiss Controversy
Former President of Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso. Photo/Fox News
Controversy surrounding Luis Rubiales kiss goes back to August 20, 2023. Spain thrashed England in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final held in Australia.
Elated by this victory, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso and planted a deep kiss on her lips during the trophy award ceremony.
She felt uneasy but helpless, a fact that sparked outrage by the public over the ex-federation chief’s conduct. He refused to step down as Royal Spanish Football Federation President stating that it was just a casual kiss.
The 48-year-old added that the Hermoso, a mid-fielder, consented to the kiss. However, pressure mounted on him two weeks later. He resigned on September 10 and apologised over the incident.
FIFA suspended him provisionary days before he resigned.
Did Hermoso Consent to Kissing?
Former President of Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales hugging Jenni Hermoso. Photo/SkySports
In a statement to the press regarding Luis Rubiales kissing incident, Hermoso stated that she didn’t consent to the kiss as Rubiales said.
She said that she felt disrespected and vulnerable after the incident. Hermoso described Rubiales as a man driven by a strong s3xist impulse.
She vowed to seek legal redress on the matter despite coercion calls by the ex-chief to play down the whole incident.
Rubiales in his defence said that the kiss was consensual, ‘euphoric and spontaneous.’
In a rejoinder, Hermoso, 36, said that the incident showed misogyny in sports and it shouldn’t be allowed.
Further, she maintained that Rubiales’ actions ruined what should have been the best day of her life. It’s still fresh in her mind two years later.
Calls for Re-trial
The judge explained that Rubiales’ charges did not warrant jail time despite being ‘reprehensible acts.’ According to Spanish law, kissing Hermoso was an assault without violence or intimidation.
For this reason, incarcerating the 48-year-old would be a breach of law. Nevertheless, the court slapped the ex-Spanish football federation boss with a further $3,130 ((€3,000) fine.
Former President of Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales. Photo/SKy News
The fine was granted as compensation to Hermoso for moral damages. The trial verdict cited that Hermoso suffered moral and reputational damage following Rubiales’ actions in Sydney, Australia where Span vs England final match went down.
Thousands of fans at the stadium and millions of viewers across the world witnessed this incident according to the judge.
Thus, Rubiales had a financial obligation to Herrmoso to make up for his wayward behaviour. In addition, the court issued an order against Rubiales contacting Hermoso physically and virtually.
He was ordered not to contact her via phone or otherwise for one year. Also, he should maintain a 200-metre radius from the Spanish footballer whenever they are in public.
The court three out coercion charges on Rubiales and three other co-accused.
