Rubiales faces 2.5 years in jail for Cup kiss

Luis Rubiales, the ex-president of the Spanish soccer federation, is currently facing charges of forcibly kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips. Prosecutors have requested a prison sentence of 2 1/2 years for this offense.

Former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales is facing serious charges of sexual assault and coercion in Spain. Prosecutors have requested a 2 1/2-year prison sentence for Rubiales due to his forced World Cup kiss on player Jenni Hermoso after the tournament final in Sydney in August.

Statement from the Prosecutor’s Office

The prosecution stated in a document submitted to Spain’s National Court in Madrid that Rubiales had forcefully held the player’s head and unexpectedly kissed her on the lips without her consent or approval.

This incident occurred during the medal ceremony following Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final in Australia.

Accusers are accusing Rubiales, who has denied any wrongdoing, of coercion for pressuring the athlete to justify and accept the unwanted kiss she received.

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The prosecutor’s office emphasized that Rubiales could have significant personal and professional consequences as a result of his actions, and they believe he exerted constant and repeated pressure on Hermoso.

These actions, according to the prosecution, prevented Hermoso from living her life peacefully, tranquilly, and freely.

In addition to a prison sentence, the prosecutors are seeking a minimum compensation of €50,000 ($54,000) for Hermoso from Rubiales.

The prosecutors insisted that Rubiales, who eventually stepped down in September amidst the controversy that ensued after the kiss, should be specifically disqualified from working in the sports field for the duration of his sentence.

They also demanded that he be placed under supervised release for two years and be prohibited from contacting Hermoso or approaching her within a 200-meter radius (approximately 650 feet) for four years.

Furthermore, the prosecutor’s office sought a one-and-a-half-year prison sentence for coercion for three other individuals: Jorge Vilda, the former coach of the women’s team, Ruben Rivera, the former marketing director of the federation, and Albert Luque, the director of the men’s team.

Rubiales is also under investigation in a separate corruption probe concerning RFEF contracts, including the transfer of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.