State prosecutors have leveled accusations of sexual assault against Luis Rubiales, alleging that he coerced Jenni Hermoso into publicly supporting him amidst a public backlash. The alleged incident took place during the World Cup awards ceremony in Sydney in August. Initially denying any wrongdoing and claiming to be the victim of a campaign led by “false feminists,” Rubiales eventually resigned from his post.
The judge overseeing the case has also ruled that along with Rubiales, former Spain coach Jorge Vilda, sports director of Spain’s men’s team Albert Luque, and the former head of marketing for the federation should face trial. They are accused of pressuring Hermoso to defend Rubiales, a step she reportedly refused to take.
The trial date is yet to be determined, and Hermoso, who testified before the investigative judge in January, has received widespread support in Spain. As Spain’s all-time leading scorer and a prominent figure in the Mexican league, the 33-year-old forward’s case has sparked conversations about sexism in sports.
Under a sexual consent law enacted in 2022, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty. The law eliminates the distinction between “sexual harassment” and “sexual assault,” penalizing any unconsented sexual act.
FIFA has already imposed a three-year ban on Rubiales, extending until after the men’s 2026 World Cup, with Spain’s sports authority deeming him unfit for a sports management post for three years. Despite the ban, it will expire before the next women’s tournament in 2027. The case has brought attention to issues of accountability and gender equality within the realm of sports.
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