Luis Rubiales to face trial for unwanted World Cup kiss, judge confirms football news

Former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) chief Luis Rubiales, disgraced for forcibly kissing Women’s World Cup winner Jennie Hermoso on the lips, will be prosecuted, a Spanish high court judge ruled on Wednesday. “(Rubiellas will be prosecuted) for his non-consensual kiss of Spanish national team player Jennifer Hermoso at the end of the World Cup final in Sydney on August 20 (2023), and then forcing her to say it publicly It was done by force and with consent,” the court said in a statement outlining the allegations.

Judge Francisco De Jorge said in court documents that the hearing would take place in the Audiencia Nacional, the Madrid court in charge of complex cases, with a date yet to be determined.

The public prosecution has requested a prison sentence of two and a half years for Luis Rubiales – one year for sexual assault and 18 months for coercion.

The prosecution is also demanding two years of probation after his sentence is served and the player be paid 50,000 euros ($54,000) in compensation.

Judge De George asked Luis Rubiales to post bail of 65,000 euros ($70,000) within 24 hours to cover “any civil liability he may be ordered to pay”.

The judge also confirmed that former La Roja women’s coach Jorge Vilda and two former federation officials will also face trial for alleged coercion of Hermoso.

Rubiales, 46, sparked worldwide outrage by giving Hermoso an unwanted kiss during the medal ceremony after Spain defeated England to win the World Cup in Australia last year.

The former RFEF chief, who is also under investigation in a separate alleged corruption case linked to his reign at the federation, has denied any wrongdoing.

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