Luis Rubiales Will Appeal Conviction for Sexual Assault Against Jennifer Hermoso

Luis Rubiales has announced his intention to appeal the National Court's ruling that convicts him of sexual assault against player Jennifer Hermoso. Rubiales's defense, led by attorney Olga Tubau, will file an appeal before the Criminal Chamber of the National Court.

The ruling, issued this Thursday by Judge José Manuel Fernández-Prieto. It imposes an 18-month fine on Rubiales, equivalent to 10,800 euros, for the kiss to Hermoso during the medal ceremony after the World Cup final.

Additionally, he is prohibited from approaching within 656 ft. (200 meters) of the player and communicating with her for one year. The ruling also requires Rubiales to compensate Hermoso with 3,000 euros for moral damages.

Judge Fernández-Prieto concluded that the kiss was "surprising and without consent," granting full credibility to Hermoso's testimony. However, Rubiales was acquitted of the crime of coercion, as were the other accused, former coach Jorge Vilda, former team director Albert Luque, and former marketing manager Rubén Rivera. The Prosecutor's Office had requested a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales for the crimes of sexual assault and coercion.

Following the issuance of the ruling, Rubiales's defense expressed disagreement with the decision and confirmed their intention to appeal. Meanwhile, the Prosecutor's Office is evaluating the possibility of appealing the acquittal for the crime of coercion. This case has caused a broad public debate about the importance of consent and appropriate behavior in the sports field.

The case originated in August 2023, when, during the medal ceremony after the World Cup final in Sydney. Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips without her consent. This act caused a wave of criticism and debates about consent and appropriate conduct in high-profile sporting events.

The Prosecutor's Office had requested a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales for the crimes of sexual assault and coercion. However, the judge has acquitted him of the crime of coercion. As well as the other accused, former coach Jorge Vilda, former team director Albert Luque, and former marketing manager Rubén Rivera.

During the trial, which extended over nine sessions, Jennifer Hermoso testified that the kiss was not consensual and described the pressures she received to downplay the incident. Meanwhile, the defenses argued that there was not enough violence or intimidation to classify the actions as coercion. Rubiales's lawyer argued that the kiss was consensual and that subsequent interactions did not constitute coercion.