Luis Rubiales, the former Spanish football federation president, has arrived at court in Madrid for his highly anticipated trial.
The 47-year-old, who has been accused of sexual assault and coercion, made his way to the Audiencia Nacional court’s San Fernando de Henares headquarters early on the morning of February 3, 2025.
Rubiales, who is a father of three, arrived in a taxi about 45 minutes before the scheduled start of the trial at 10 AM local time.
The case centers around an incident that took place after Spain’s World Cup victory in August 2023.
Rubiales allegedly kissed Spain’s Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent.
The trial is set to last for 11 days, and while Rubiales will not take the stand until next week, he is determined to attend each day of the proceedings.
This includes hearing Hermoso’s testimony, which will begin today.
The Charges Against Rubiales
Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales.
The charges include sexual assault and coercion, specifically regarding the pressure he allegedly placed on Hermoso to publicly claim that the kiss had been consensual.
If convicted, Rubiales faces a potential one-year sentence for sexual assault, as well as an additional sentence of one year and six months for coercion.
Hermoso, now playing for Tigres Femenil in Mexico, has flown to Madrid to provide her testimony.
She filed a complaint against Rubiales in September 2023, accusing him of making her feel vulnerable by kissing her without her consent.
Investigating judge Francisco de Jorge, who led the investigation into the matter, has recommended that Rubiales face trial, citing solid evidence of the kiss’s non-consensual nature.
The Alleged Coercion Behind the Scenes
The trial has also brought attention to an alleged effort by Rubiales and several others to pressure Hermoso into publicly declaring that the kiss was consensual.
According to judge de Jorge’s ruling, Rubiales, with the help of former Spain’s World Cup women’s team manager Jorge Vilda, ex-director of the men’s team Albert Luque, and former Spanish FA marketing director Ruben Rivera, attempted to coerce Hermoso into recording a video exonerating Rubiales.
The judge described how Hermoso was repeatedly pressured, including during a flight back to Spain from Australia, to support Rubiales’ account of the incident.
The coercion allegedly left Hermoso feeling anxious and stressed, as she was pressured to take actions that could damage her reputation.
Public prosecutors are seeking prison sentences of one year and six months for Vilda, Luque, and Rivera, if convicted of coercion.
They are expected to give testimony in the trial starting after February 12.
Rubiales’ Defiant Stance and Legal Battle
Rubiales has remained defiant throughout the ordeal, consistently claiming his innocence.
After resigning as the president of the Spanish football federation in September 2023, Rubiales stated that he would fight to clear his name.
He tweeted, “I will defend my honourability. I will defend my innocence.”
Despite the widespread backlash, including his earlier apology for inappropriate behavior during the World Cup celebrations, Rubiales has maintained that his actions were not aggressive but rather a spontaneous expression of joy following Spain’s victory.
His family has also voiced their support.
Rubiales’ mother, Angeles Bejar, even went on a hunger strike to protest the accusations and demand that Hermoso tell the truth.
Bejar has insisted that her son’s actions were misunderstood and described the kiss as an “anecdote.”
Hermoso’s Stand and the Road Ahead
Jenni Hermoso has consistently maintained that the kiss was unwanted, and she remains confident that justice will be served.
As she arrived in Madrid from Mexico, she expressed a desire for the ordeal to be over, emphasizing that she has stayed true to her feelings throughout the process.
The trial, which is set to continue without a jury, will likely conclude later this month. If Rubiales is convicted, his prison sentence could be delayed through an appeal.
Additionally, prosecutors are seeking financial compensation of £85,000 for Hermoso if Rubiales is found guilty.
This trial is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate about consent and gender equality in sports, with both sides preparing to make their case in court.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn