Former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales is set to stand trial in February next year for an unsolicited kiss on the lips of Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso.
The court overseeing the process announced that the trial will be held at the Audiencia Nacional, a Madrid court, from February 3 to 19.
Rubiales faced worldwide outrage after kissing Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain’s victory over England in the World Cup last year.
A court ruling in May mandated Rubiales to stand trial for sexual assault over the kiss and alleged coercion to make Hermoso claim it was consensual.
Public prosecutors are seeking a sentence of two-and-a-half years in prison for Rubiales— one year for sexual assault and 18 months for coercion. They also request two years’ probation post-sentence and 50,000 euros in compensation to Hermoso.
Rubiales, who denies any wrongdoing, faces a separate investigation in an alleged corruption case involving his tenure at the federation.
Three former associates are also being tried for pressuring Hermoso to speak out in Rubiales’ defense.
The kiss, broadcast live globally, led to Rubiales’ suspension by FIFA and sparked widespread outrage. Rubiales initially dismissed it as a consensual gesture, while Hermoso refuted this claim.
Under Spanish law, a non-consensual kiss can be classified as sexual assault. Rubiales maintains that there was no sexual context to the kiss and denies allegations of coercion.
“I have a clear conscience, things have been blown out of proportion,” Rubiales said.
Jenni Hermoso filed a lawsuit against Luis Rubiales in September, informing the judge that she had experienced pressure to defend him both during the flight back from Australia and on a subsequent team holiday to Ibiza in the Balearic Islands.
