In the proceedings over the kissing scandal at the 2023 Women’s Football World Cup, the public prosecutor’s office on Wednesday demanded two and a half years in prison for the former Spanish association president Luis Rubiales. Rubiales put footballer Jenny Hermoso under pressure“to justify and condone the kiss that was given to her against her will,” said the indictment filed with the court.
Rubiales is being investigated for “sexual assault” and “coercion.” The 46-year-old had the head of the player Hermoso during the award ceremony in August 2023 after the Spanish women’s national team won the World Cup held her with both hands and kissed her on the mouth.
This behavior caused intense international outrage. Rubiales subsequently stated that the kiss was “consensual,” which Hermoso rejected. She filed a complaint.
After much hesitation and protestations of his innocence, Rubiales finally agreed resigned as head of the association in September. As a result of the incident, the player Hermoso involuntarily became a global symbol for the fight against sexism.