Luis Rubiales has seen his career crumble under the weight of an unwanted kiss seen around the world.
Luis Rubiales, the now-infamous former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has been handed an 18-month sentence along with a €10,800 fine by Spain’s National Court following the scandal that rocked the sporting world.
According to AS, the decision was officially upheld this week by the Criminal Division of the National Court, after multiple appeals.
The sentence comes as a direct result of Rubiales’ non-consensual kiss on Jennifer Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain’s historic win at the 2022 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.
According to the ruling, the court also ordered Rubiales to maintain a minimum distance of 200 metres from Hermoso and to pay €3,000 in compensation for non-material damages.
NO escape for Rubiales but co-conspirators walk free
Though Rubiales’ defence team desperately attempted to overturn the verdict, the court dismissed his appeal, standing firm against what many viewed as a blatant abuse of power in Spanish football.
Despite this, former national women’s coach Jorge Vilda, former men’s sports director Albert Luque, and RFEF marketing official Rubén Rivera were all acquitted of coercion charges.
Luis Rubiales and Jennifer Hermoso Kiss-Gate scandal EXPLAINED