Prosecutors in Spain are seeking a prison sentence of two and a half years for a Spanish soccer executive accused of kissing a lesbian player without consent.
Luis Rubiales, who was president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, briefly kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips following his country’s victory in the World Cup Final against England. He has always insisted the kiss was consensual and denied any wrongdoing.
While Hermoso did not seem to be bothered at the time, the issue became a media firestorm and led to Rubiales eventual resignation and banning from soccer related activities for three years.
Yet that was not enough for Hermoso and Spanish prosecutors, who are now charging Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion. They are seeking a two and a half year prison sentence and 50,000 euros in compensation.
The prosecution is demanding a prison sentence of 2 years and 6 months for Luis Rubiales for the non-consensual kiss of Jenni Hermoso!
(Source: @partidazocope) pic.twitter.com/mTT7lJqR5l
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 27, 2024
Rubiales “grabbed the player’s head with both hands, and surprisingly and without consent or the player’s acceptance, he kissed her on the lips”, the prosecutors wrote, adding that hte incident hadcaused her “anxiety and intense stress” for months afterward.
Prosecutors are also requesting a restraining order preventing Rubiales from coming within 200 metres of Hermoso and from contacting her for the next seven-and-a-half years.
Rubiales was also criticized for grabbing his crotch while celebrating the victory, all while standing next to Spain’s Queen Letizia and her daughter Princess Infanta Sofia.
