Luis Rubiales will 'continue fighting' as disgraced former Spanish FA chief confirms intent to appeal against sexual assault conviction for kissing Jenni Hermoso

Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault for kissing Spain star Hermoso without her consent after the 2023 World Cup final and ordered to pay €10,800 by Spain's High Court on Thursday. However, Rubiales reportedly said he will "continue fighting" this verdict.

The ruling also banned Rubiales from going within a 200-metre radius of Tigres star Hermoso and from communicating with her for one year, a court statement said. However, he was acquitted of coercion for allegedly trying to pressure the player into saying publicly that the kiss was consensual. Hermoso will likely be glad this episode is over but Rubiales appears to have other ideas.

Prosecutors did demand a prison sentence for Rubiales, who described the kiss as an "act of affection" that was "completely spontaneous".

It remains to be seen what next steps Rubiales, who resigned from his RFEF post in September 2023 after mounting pressure to stand down, will take after this court ruling.