In Madrid, there has been a significant development regarding the legal case involving Luis Rubiales, the former president of Spanish soccer. Prosecutors are pushing for a retrial, arguing that the judge in the initial proceedings improperly excluded vital evidence, which they believe tainted the fairness of the trial.
Rubiales was previously found guilty on charges of sexual assault and was subjected to a fine exceeding 10,000 euros ($10,800). This verdict was in connection with an unconsented kiss he planted on player Jenni Hermoso following the conclusion of the 2023 Women’s World Cup final. Alongside Rubiales, three officials from the soccer federation were also tried but ultimately cleared of coercion accusations that claimed they attempted to persuade Hermoso into minimizing the significance of the incident. This incident had stirred widespread anger in Spain and overshadowed the nation’s celebrations of winning its first Women’s World Cup title.
The prosecution was aiming to secure a 2 1/2-year prison term for Rubiales on grounds of both sexual assault and coercion, although he consistently maintained his innocence throughout the trial. On Thursday, prosecutors filed an appeal, insisting that evidence crucial to the case was improperly excluded by the presiding judge. They also argued that certain questions were unjustly disallowed during the trial, and accused the judge of displaying disrespectful conduct, thus calling for his replacement in any future proceedings.
In response to the verdict, Jenni Hermoso remarked that it set an “important precedent” for upholding women’s rights, highlighting the broader implications of the case beyond the individuals directly involved. As an additional legal measure, Spain’s National Court has imposed a restriction on Rubiales, forbidding him from coming within 200 meters (yards) of Hermoso or attempting to communicate with her for a year.
