Former Spanish FA Chief, Rubiales, Sentenced To Two-and-half -year Jail

Former Spanish FA Chief, Rubiales, Sentenced To Two-and-half -year Jail

Spanish prosecutors have revealed their intent to pursue a two-and-a-half-year prison term for the former FA chief of the country, Luis Rubiales, in connection to the controversial ‘Kissgate’ scandal.

Additionally, they have stipulated that if convicted at trial, Rubiales should compensate Jenni Hermoso with €100,000 (£85,000).

Outlined in a six-page indictment made public on Wednesday, the pre-trial demands involve a one-year jail sentence for a sexual assault charge, as well as a separate one-year six-month prison term for coercion, both linked to Rubiales’ alleged efforts to elicit a defense from Jenni following the ‘unwanted’ kiss he gave her, a Women’s World Cup victor, last summer.

Earlier this year, Madrid-based judge Francisco de Jorge set the stage for Rubiales’ trial after recommending his prosecution, citing “solid evidence” indicating potential illegality in the incident.

He described how Hermoso was caught off guard and unable to react swiftly when Rubiales forcibly kissed her during an awards ceremony, witnessed by millions of TV viewers.

De Jorge also suggested that Jorge Vilda, former manager of Spain’s World Cup women’s team, Albert Luque, men’s team director, and Ruben Rivera, former marketing director of the Spanish FA, should also stand trial.

“The investigation has revealed the existence of solid evidence the kiss Luis Manuel Rubiales Bejar gave the player Jennifer Hermoso was not consensual and was a unilateral and surprise initiative on his part. 

“Whether there was no any erotic intention or it was a result of the state of euphoria and excitement experienced as a consequence of the extraordinary sporting triumph preceding it is something that should be valued in a public trial“.

The judge alleged a coordinated effort among the accused, led by Rubiales, to coerce Hermoso into providing a video testimony claiming consent regarding the kissed exchanged, to dispel ensuing public scrutiny.

The investigation revealed instances where Rubiales pressured Jenni on a flight back from Sydney following a match, and later urged Vilda to intervene by coercing Hermoso through her brother to create a video supporting his narrative.

Vilda emphasized the potential adverse repercussions should the footballer decline to cooperate, signaling a concerted campaign to manipulate her stance on the contentious issue.