Spain: Prosecutors Seek 2.5-Year Sentence for Rubiales

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Facts

• It was reported Wednesday that Spanish prosecutors are seeking a 2 ½-year prison sentence for former national soccer chief Luis Rubiales for allegedly forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso during the Women's World Cup celebration.¹
• Rubiales in August was caught on video grabbing Hermoso and kissing her on the lips.²
• The requested sentencing consists of one year for alleged sexual assault and another 1 ½ years for allegedly trying to 'break the will' of Hermoso to force her to say the kiss was 'consensual.'³
• Prosecutor Marta Durántez has accused former coach Jorge Vilda, sporting director of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Albert Luque, and federation marketing director Rubén Rivera of also attempting to coerce Hermoso.²
• While the defendants have denied wrongdoing, recently revealed text messages between Luque and a friend of Hermoso show him saying he wanted Hermoso to 'die alone.'⁴
• Besides jail time, prosecutors also want Rubiales to pay Hermoso 50K euros ($54K), with Hermoso also asking for a 7 ½-year restraining order against her former boss.¹

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²The Guardian, ³The Athletic and ⁴Daily Mail.

Narratives

• Left narrative, as provided by Deadspin. Rubiales was caught red-handed sexually assaulting Hermoso, and he should be brought to justice. The Spanish government — with a high proportion of female legislators — is setting an example for how these cases should be handled.
• Right narrative, as provided by European Conservative. The appropriate punishment in this case isn't the issue. The true problem is the Spanish government's recently passed laws — ironically passed in the name of equality — that have released sex offenders from prison. The Spanish people should ask if their government is applying the law equally.