Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, faces significant legal repercussions following a controversial incident with Spanish player Jenni Hermoso. The Audiencia Nacional court found Rubiales guilty of sexual assault after he kissed Hermoso without her consent during the medal ceremony following Spain's World Cup final victory over England in 2023. Despite being acquitted of allegedly attempting to coerce Hermoso into saying the kiss was consensual, Rubiales has been handed an 18-month fine, equating to €20 per day, and a three-year ban from football. Both Rubiales and Hermoso plan to appeal against the verdict.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld Rubiales' ban after dismissing his appeal. Additionally, he is prohibited from going within 200 meters of Hermoso and from communicating with her for one year. These measures underscore the seriousness of the incident and the court's commitment to safeguarding Hermoso's well-being.
This legal battle unfolds as Spain continues to make headlines on the international sports stage. Following their World Cup triumph over England, Spain has qualified for the Olympics. They demonstrated resilience by coming back from two goals down to defeat Belgium 3-2 in added time during their Nations League opener. Meanwhile, England is set to face Spain at Wembley on Wednesday in a highly anticipated rematch of the Lionesses' first World Cup final encounter.
Alessia Russo, an English player, expressed her support for the Spanish women's team in light of the incident.
"We've stood in solidarity with them since the moment that it began," – Alessia Russo
She further emphasized the importance of addressing such issues in sports, hoping that this case will lead to positive changes in the future.
"It's really a shame that they have to have gone through this, but we hope that it makes change going further forward." – Alessia Russo
Russo reaffirmed her commitment to standing by her fellow athletes.
"We stand with them and we back them. We're all with them through the process." – Alessia Russo
The incident has sparked widespread discussions about the treatment of women in sports and the need for systemic change. Both Spain and England's teams have shown remarkable unity as they navigate these challenging circumstances.
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