The footballer Jennifer Hermoso and the Spanish Footballers Association (AFE) have decided to appeal the sentence against Luis Rubiales, former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), condemned to pay a fine of 10,800 euros. This decision was made after the incident in which Rubiales kissed Hermoso without her consent during the medal ceremony of the Women's World Cup that Spain won in Australia.
The judge considers it proven that Rubiales held Hermoso's head and unexpectedly kissed her on the lips without her consent. Despite this, the verdict resulted in a fine because the sexual aggression was deemed to be of "lesser intensity" and did not involve violence or intimidation.
In addition to Rubiales, other names such as Jorge Vilda, Albert Luque, and Rubén Rivera were involved in the case, accused of coercion against the player. However, the judge decided to acquit them of these charges. The prosecution had initially requested 2 and a half years in prison for Rubiales, divided into one year for sexual assault and one and a half years for coercion, but ultimately all the defendants were acquitted.
Rubiales' defense argued that there was no "sexual intent" in the kiss and the former president of the RFEF has announced that he will appeal the sentence.
