Spain's Ex-Soccer Chief to Stand Trial for Kissing Player

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Facts

• Spain’s former soccer chief, Luis Rubiales, is set to stand trial for kissing Jennifer Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup medal ceremony in August 2023, in addition to other allegations of corruption and misconduct.¹
• Previously, Judge Francisco de Jorge in January ruled that the kiss was 'unconsented and carried out unilaterally and in a surprising fashion.'²
• Rubiales faces one count of sexual assault for the kiss and one count of coercion for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to publicly support him following the kiss. Spanish prosecutors are seeking a 2 1/2-year prison sentence.³
• The judge also confirmed Wednesday that Jorge Vilda, the former coach of La Roja's women's team, and two officials from the Spanish football federation would also head to trial for the alleged coercion of Hermoso.⁴
• Rubiales has denied all wrong-doing, calling the kiss a 'consensual peck,' with Hermoso rejecting the notion that the kiss was consensual. A date has not yet been set for the trial.⁵
• In October, Rubiales was banned from national and international soccer activities for three years after he was found to have violated FIFA's disciplinary code.⁶

Sources: ¹New York Times, ²Associated Press, ³CNN, ⁴France 24, ⁵Guardian and ⁶ABC News.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by The Telegraph. While Rubiales' kiss was inappropriate, he's far from a criminal and more than two years in prison would be ridiculously disproportionate. In the era of #MeToo, punishing Rubiales so harshly for a mild offense may have the unintended effect of validating those who feel the movement has gone too far, undermining the country's progress in women's rights.
• Narrative B, as provided by Guardian. This case is a much-needed reckoning for sexism and women's rights in Spain. Sexual harassment like this unfortunately happens far too often. Rubiales must face the consequences of his actions, and hopefully this can serve as a lesson for men in the future that non-consensual acts like this are unwanted and criminal.