Luis Rubiales could face four years in prison over Jenni Hermoso kiss as Spain judge proposes sexual assault trial for disgraced former RFEF president

The act took place following La Roja's victory over England in the World Cup final on August 20, 2023, which saw Rubiales hold Hermoso's head in both hands and forcibly kiss her on the lips. The 46-year-old was consequently forced to resign as RFEF president and was handed a three-year ban from FIFA. Now, Rubiales could face criminal charges, following a Spanish judge's ruling on Thursday.

Judge Francisco de Jorge, from Spain's Audiencia Nacional top court, said that the kiss "was not consensual and was a unilateral and unexpected move" by Rubiales.

He added: "The erotic or non-erotic purpose or the state of euphoria and agitation experienced as a result of the extraordinary sporting triumph are elements whose legal consequences and [overall] consequences will have to be assessed in the oral trial before the body responsible for the prosecution. It affects the sphere of intimacy reserved for sexual relations, in particular in the context of two adults".

Rubiales isn't the only person affected by De Jorge's recommendation. Former Spain women's coach Jorge Vilda, men's team director Albert Luque and RFEF marketing boss Ruben Rivera were also proposed to be put on trial for allegedly exerting pressure on Hermoso. The Judge stated that the trio were acting on behalf of Rubiales "to bend the will of Jennifer Hermoso Fuentes and get her to agree to record a video in which she said that the kiss had been consensual".

Spanish law dictates that a non-consensual kiss can be considered sexual assault, which can incur a sentence of up to four years in prison. There is no set date on when and where Rubiales' trial will take place.