Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, was found guilty of sexually assaulting footballer Jenni Hermoso by kissing her without her consent following Spain's victory in the 2023 Women's World Cup in Sydney.

Following a trial at Spain’s national court, Rubiales was convicted of sexual assault but acquitted of coercion against Hermoso.

The presiding judge ordered Rubiales to pay a fine and compensation totaling over €13,000 (£10,800).

He is also prohibited from coming within 200 meters of Hermoso for a year and has been instructed to refrain from any contact with her for the same duration.

The case has drawn significant attention, provoking discussions on issues of sexism, consent, and workplace dynamics in sports.

The incident occurred after Spain's women's team triumphed in the World Cup final in August 2023, when Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips, which he claimed was consensual.

However, the court found that Hermoso had made it clear she did not consent to the kiss, which the judge characterized as a clear sexual act and inappropriate for a professional setting.

Judge José Manuel Clemente Fernández-Prieto emphasized during the ruling that in the context of the relationship, Hermoso had no reason to lie about her experience.

Rubiales, who acknowledged making an error in judgment, insisted that the kiss was spontaneous during a moment of jubilation.

Rubiales had faced a possible two-and-a-half-year prison sentence based on allegations that included coercion to downplay the nature of the kiss.

However, three other officials tried alongside him—former national team coach Jorge Vilda, sporting director Albert Luque, and marketing chief Rubén Rivera—were acquitted of coercion.

The repercussions of the incident were significant, leading to Rubiales’ eventual resignation and generating widespread condemnation and protests focusing on the treatment of women in football and sports.

Following the trial, Rubiales announced his intention to appeal the verdict.

The trial highlighted the broader cultural issues surrounding the treatment of women in sport, with Minister for Equality Ana Redondo asserting that the ruling underscored the importance of respecting victims' voices.

Redondo declared: "A non-consensual kiss is a sexual assault," emphasizing that the victim's testimony should be valued and respected.

Furthermore, the verdict aligned with ongoing movements advocating for women's rights in Spain, amid growing international discourse on sexism and consent.

Former equality minister Irene Montero remarked that the acknowledgment of non-consensual acts as sexual assault represented progress, although she criticized the severity of the penalties imposed.

Hermoso, during her testimony, indicated that the aftermath of the kiss had a profound negative impact on her life, stating, "One of the happiest days of my life was tarnished." In contrast, Rubiales attempted to defend his actions in court as an error rather than criminal behavior.

In October 2023, Rubiales was also banned from all football-related activities for three years, a decision that was upheld in January 2024 amidst ongoing scrutiny of his professional conduct beyond this incident.

His legal challenges and public backlash exemplify the significant societal changes concerning issues of consent and accountability in sports.