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Spain’s High Court Upholds Luis Rubiales’ Sexual Assault Conviction. Spain’s High Court confirmed the sexual assault conviction of former soccer federation president Luis Rubiales. Rubiales kissed national team player Jenni Hermoso without her consent during the 2023 World Cup medal ceremony. The court dismissed multiple appeals and upheld the verdict, affirming the kiss was unsolicited. Rubiales was fined 10,000 euros ($11,592) but acquitted of coercion charges alongside three co-defendants. Prosecutors had sought a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence, which was also rejected. The kiss sparked national debates on sexism in Spanish society and women’s football. The incident became a key moment for the “Me Too” movement in Spain. Rubiales argued his actions were due to uncontrollable joy, but the court disagreed. The court noted that Rubiales restrained himself with other players and attendees, showing he could have avoided the behavior with Hermoso. The court stated that Rubiales could have expressed joy in a way that did not involve kissing Hermoso.
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