Judge proposes Luis Rubiales face trial over Hermoso World Cup kiss
A Spanish judge has recommended that former president of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, face trial for the women’s World Cup incident involving captain Jenni Hermoso.
The judge said that there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial, citing the kiss as “not consensual” and a “unilateral and surprising initiative” during the presentation after Spain’s victory in Australia.
Rubiales denies the non-consensual nature of the kiss.
Prosecutors previously charged Mr Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion.
Penalties for such a kiss range from a fine to four years in prison.
The case involves other football executives, including Hermoso’s former coach Jorge Vilda, former marketing manager Rubén Rivera, and sports director of the men’s team Albert Luque, all accused of pressuring Hermoso to publicly declare the kiss as consensual.
The judge has recommended that the trio also stand trial. Lawyers involved have 10 days to formally request a trial before a court.
Spain’s top scorer, Hermoso, testified before the court, stating that the kiss was unexpected and not consensual.