Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, has sparked controversy by claiming he’s the victim of a “far-left” conspiracy surrounding the forced kiss incident with Jenni Hermoso, Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning player. Rubiales was convicted of sexual assault and fined 10,800 euros for forcibly kissing Hermoso during the medal ceremony after Spain’s 2023 World Cup win.
In a defiant interview, Rubiales insisted the kiss was “consensual” and claimed he was being unfairly targeted by a “sudden far-left movement” aiming to protect Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. He has written a book, “Killing Rubiales,” detailing his version of events and plans to appeal the conviction.
Hermoso, however, has consistently stated that the kiss was non-consensual and left her feeling “disrespected” and “vulnerable”. She has become an icon in the fight against sexism and macho culture in sports.
