The trial of Former Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales concerning the the controversial kiss on the lips of world champion soccer player Jenni Hermoso during the Women’s World Cup final medal ceremony will take place in Madrid on February 3-19, 2025.
Rubiales was officially referred to trial at the beginning of last May on charges of “sexual assault” and “coercion,” without specifying a date, as he faces a prison sentence of two and a half years.
Rubiales resigned as RFEF President in September after the kiss incident. International Association Football Federation (FIFA) subsequently banned the 46-year-old from football for three years.
Pedro Rocha has been appointed new president of RFEF thanks to the support of a majority of the institution’s assembly, making him the sole candidate for the position.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the forced kiss via an Instagram post that read: “This is the last day of the month when Spain was crowned FIFA Women’s World Cup winners for the very first time” . He continued “Sadly, however, the well-deserved celebrations for these magnificent champions were spoiled by what happened after the final whistle. . . . This should never have happened.”
Rubiales announced in a speech on August 25 that he would not step down considering the incident “not serious.”