'It's amazing!' - Lioness Lucy Bronze praises Spain players after Luis Rubiales found guilty of sexually assaulting Jenni Hermoso

The verdict, delivered by Spain’s High Court, ruled that Rubiales’ actions - kissing Hermoso without her consent following Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup final victory over England - constituted sexual assault. The court ordered the 47-year-old to pay a fine exceeding €10,000 (£8,274), but he was not convicted of coercion. This ruling comes more than 17 months after Rubiales resigned from his position as head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), following widespread backlash across the world over his behaviour.

Several Spanish players played a key role in the legal proceedings, standing in solidarity with Hermoso and testifying against Rubiales. Among those who gave evidence in court were Irene Paredes and Alexia Putellas, both of whom have been vocal about the need for change within Spanish football. Arsenal defender Laia Codina also provided testimony in support of Hermoso’s claims.

Bronze, who played alongside several Spain internationals during her two-year spell at Barcelona, expressed admiration for the courage shown by Hermoso and her teammates.

"I am good friends with a lot of the players involved around it," she said. "From my point of view it’s been incredibly brave that these players have had to go through that. It’s incredibly brave, as individuals and as a team collectively they’re fighting for change, not just in that court case but in their federation.

"It’s amazing. As an England team we’ve made changes, not for the same reasons, but we stand by them. During my last year at Barcelona, watching their ordeals after the World Cup, I think it was challenging for them. It would be nice for them to get back to their football and focusing on that because they are incredible people and unbelievable players as well."

Hermoso had previously described how Rubiales’ kiss had "tainted one of the happiest days" of her life. She stated that she had never given her consent, contradicting Rubiales' argument that the kiss was a mutual expression of joy.

Despite his conviction, three of Rubiales’ former colleagues - Jorge Vilda, Spain’s World Cup-winning coach, Ruben Rivera, the RFEF’s former marketing head, and Albert Luque, the federation’s ex-sporting director - were acquitted after facing allegations of coercion. Meanwhile, FIFA had already taken action against Rubiales, banning him from all football-related activities for a period of three years.

As fate would have it, England and Spain are set to meet once again on the pitch later this month. The Lionesses will take on Spain in the Women’s Nations League on February 26, just five days after facing Portugal.