Spain Football Fed Ex-Chief Luis Rubiales Faces Trial For Kiss Scandal

The former chief of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, will reportedly face trial for misconduct at the Women’s World Cup 2023 final, where he forcibly kissed a player on the lips at the trophy ceremony. In September 2023, FIFA banned the soccer former federation president from the sport for three years after he forcibly kissed player Jenni Hermoso after her team's win. Rubiales is barred from working in soccer until after the men’s 2026 World Cup. His ban will expire before the next women’s tournament in 2027. The kiss scandal at the Women's Football World Cup Final caused worldwide outrage after Spanish FA 

FIFA did not publish details of the verdict reached by its disciplinary committee judges, who had investigated charges relating to “basic rules of decent conduct” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute.” After receiving legal charges over his actions, Luis Rubiales also resigned from his position. 

Luis Rubiales To Face Trial

A judge reportedly confirmed that Luis Rubiales would face trial for his misconduct at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 on August 20, 2023, in Sydney. The trial will be held at the Audiencia Nacional, a Madrid court in charge of complex cases, on a date yet to be set, Judge Francisco de Jorge stated in the court document.

According to the news agency Agence France-Presse, public prosecution has requested a sentence of one year for sexual assault and 18 months for coercion. The prosecution has also demanded two years' probation once the sentence has been served and a fine of 50,000 euros in compensation to Jenni Hermoso.

Additionally, Judge De Jorge asked Luis Rubiales to post bail of 65,000 euros within 24 hours to cover "any civil liabilities he may be ordered to pay," the agency reported. The judge also confirmed that former La Roja women's coach Jorge Vilda and two former federation officials would also face trial for alleged coercion of Hermoso.

FIFA Bans Rubiales

In September, Rubiales announced his resignation and said that his position with the Spanish Football Federation (REFF) had become untenable. Rubiales was also suspended for 90 days from participating in any of the activities of FIFA by its governing bodies until further investigation into the case. 

A Spanish prosecutor also filed a lawsuit against Rubiales last week for coercion and sexually assaulting the football player. The 33-year-old Spanish midfielder also lodged a complaint to the National Court formally accusing Rubiales of sexually assaulting her. Rubiales stated that he does not think he will be able to return to his position. 

In the open letter sent by the Rubiales to the REFF, he mentioned he would also be resigning from his position as Vice President of the European Football League governing body UEFA. He claimed in a TV interview that there are de facto powers that will prevent his return and there is no point in insisting on clinging and waiting.

46-year-old Rubiales was a former player and head of Spain's main players' union and has been the President of the football federation since 2018. Apart from the World Cup misconduct, he is also under investigation for an alleged corruption case involving his reign at the federation. However, he has denied any wrongdoing.