Former Spanish Soccer Chief Faces Trial Over Unwanted Kiss Scandal

Luis Rubiales arrived at the hearing on Monday accompanied by Olga Tubau, a famous Catalan lawyer. She will defend the former RFEF leader, who risks two and a half years in prison for the unconsented kiss given to the player Jenni Hermoso, reports AS. Jorge Vilda, former coach of the Spanish women’s team, and current coach of the Moroccan women’s team, as well as Patricia Pérez, press officer of the Spanish women’s team, are also attending this hearing at the Audiencia Nacional.

Jennifer Hermoso is also present at this hearing. In addition to the unconsented kiss, the player accuses Rubiales and certain members of the staff of harassment. During a trip made from August 22 to 25, 2023 to Sydney (Australia) to celebrate the team’s victory at the Women’s World Cup, Albert Luque tried to exchange with Jennifer, but the player refused. "Faced with this categorical refusal, Luque sent several WhatsApp messages to Jennifer’s friend, expressing his anger...", details the prosecution in a press release.

As for Rubén Rivera, marketing manager of the RFEF, he "went on site and insisted on speaking on the phone with Hermoso", but the player rejected his request. During the return flight from Australia to Spain, with a stopover in Doha (Qatar), Rubiales would have approached the player "so that she would agree to make a joint public statement to affirm that the kiss was consensual, which the player refused again". Faced with this latest refusal by Hermoso, "Rubiales, after consulting with his trusted team, of which Vilda was a part, decided to continue to put pressure on Hermoso", the note continues.

Luis Rubiales, Rubén Rivera, Jorge Vilda and Albert Luque will be informed of their fate on February 12. But before that, a hearing is scheduled for February 10. Rubiales’ two daughters, as well as the sports advisors of the Balearic Islands, Salvador Losa and Susana Rodríguez, and the coach of the national women’s team, Montserrat Tomé, will be heard on this occasion. On February 11, a witness proposed by Rivera and three expert witnesses proposed by Rubiales will also be heard. The prosecution has requested two and a half years in prison against Rubiales and one year and six months in prison for harassment against the other co-defendants.