𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐮𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬!

In a shocking turn of events, Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spain’s soccer federation, has been found guilty of sexual assault for forcibly kissing Jennifer Hermoso, a member of the women’s national team, on the lips after their victory at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. This despicable act not only triggered a national scandal but also shed light on the deep-rooted issues of sexism within Spanish soccer, becoming a pivotal moment in Spain’s #MeToo movement.The court did not take this offense lightly, imposing a fine of €10,800 on Rubiales for the assault and ordering him to stay 200 meters away from Hermoso for a year.

Additionally, he was required to pay Hermoso €3,000 for moral damages. While the court dismissed a charge of coercion against Rubiales, Judge José Manuel Fernández-Prieto made it clear that a kiss is not a normal greeting, especially in a public setting, without emotional consent.Despite the court’s ruling, Rubiales remains defiant and plans to appeal, insisting that his actions were merely celebratory.

Luis Rubiales/Credit BBC SPORTS

This blatant disregard for boundaries and consent only serves to highlight the systemic gender inequality and sexism that plagues Spanish soccer.The response to the court’s decision has been mixed, with Spain’s minister of equality applauding the ruling for recognizing non-consensual acts as aggression. On the other hand, the Federation of Progressive Women expressed disappointment, believing the sentence to be too lenient.

Rubiales’s feeble attempt at an apology and subsequent resignation under mounting pressure only further emphasize the severity of his actions.It is imperative that such incidents are not brushed aside or normalized in any way.The court’s verdict sends a strong message that non-consensual behavior will not be tolerated, and it is crucial for the sports industry to address and eradicate such toxic behaviors. Let this be a wake-up call for all those who think they can abuse their power and privilege without consequences. Consent is non-negotiable, and it’s about time that we all stand up against such egregious acts.