Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has lost his appeal against a sexual assault conviction for kissing Jenni Hermoso, captain of Spain’s women’s team, without her consent after their 2023 World Cup victory.
A Spanish appeals court upheld the €10,800 (£9,206) fine imposed in February, affirming the original court’s finding that the kiss was not consensual. Hermoso had stated she objected to the kiss, which she felt “disrespected” her.
Prosecutors’ separate appeal for a retrial and jail sentence was dismissed.
The court also maintained that Rubiales was not guilty of coercion, a charge alleging he pressured Hermoso to publicly endorse the kiss.
Previous clearances for three other former federation employees on coercion charges were also upheld.
The ruling reinforces the original sentence, which includes a ban on Rubiales being within 200 meters of Hermoso and communicating with her for one year.
