The legal dispute between Spanish soccer player Jenni Hermoso and former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has officially come to a close. The incident in question, a kiss without consent, has resulted in Rubiales being sentenced to pay a fine of 10,800 euros ($11,300) for sexual aggression.
During the trial, the Prosecutor’s Office had requested a total of two and a half years in prison – one year for the sexual assault itself, which referred to the kiss, and one and a half years for the pressure exerted on the player to downplay the gesture.
The resolution
The National Court has condemned Rubiales to 18 months of a fine, with a daily fee of 20 euros, as stated in a court statement issued on Thursday. Additionally, the ruling stipulates that Rubiales is not allowed to approach Jenni Hermoso within a 200-meter radius and is prohibited from communicating with her for a year.
Throughout the judicial and media process, Jenni Hermoso reiterated to the judge that the kiss should never have happened, emphasizing that she did not give her consent and felt disrespected. In contrast, Rubiales declared in court that he was “totally sure” Jenni Hermoso had consented, claiming she had replied “Ok” when he asked if he could kiss her.
The outcome of this case brings closure to a highly publicized incident, with the court’s decision aiming to address the severity of the actions while also considering the complexities of the situation. With this ruling, both parties can now move forward, albeit with significant consequences for Rubiales.