Soccer Federation Chief Faces Sexual Assault and Coercion Charges in Spain
The trial of former Spanish soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales for an unsolicited kiss of national soccer player Jennifer Hermoso is set to begin. The charges against Rubiales include sexual assault and coercion, for which the Public Ministry in Spain has formally accused him. Despite denying any wrongdoing and claiming he had received consent from Hermoso, the case has been moving forward with a trial.
The High Court in Madrid has accepted the case and will try former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, current sporting director Albert Luque, and federation’s head of marketing Ruben Rivera, who are all accused of coercing Hermoso into stating that the kiss was consensual. The court has set bail amounts for all individuals involved in the case.
Hermoso has previously stated that she did not consent to the kiss and felt disrespected by Rubiales, despite his apologies. This case highlights the ongoing issue of sexual harassment and assault in sports, particularly in high-profile settings such as international competitions. It is important for those involved to be held accountable for their actions and for victims to have a safe space to report such incidents without fear of retaliation or stigma.
