Luis Rubiales Claims Sexual Assault Conviction Was Politically Driven

Sexual assault conviction against former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales has sparked intense debate after Rubiales alleged the verdict was the result of a political witch hunt. The controversy centers around the kiss Rubiales gave Spain international Jenni Hermoso during the celebrations following Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup victory, an act that ended his tenure and brought forth legal consequences.

Sexual Assault Conviction and Rubiales’ Defense

Sexual assault conviction has loomed over Rubiales since February 2025, when Spain’s High Court fined him €10,800 and issued a one-year restraining order for kissing Hermoso without consent at the World Cup medal ceremony in Sydney. While acquitted of coercion—relating to allegations he pressured Hermoso to publicly support his version of events—Rubiales continues to defend his actions, maintaining that his behavior was misinterpreted and unfairly judged.

Breaking his silence in a televised interview, Rubiales described the incident as “blown out of proportion” and insisted political interests played a major role in the scandal. “Yes, I have appealed the sentence. When there is a sentence, we all have an obligation to abide by it,” Rubiales said. “We believe this is not sexual assault, and we have the right to appeal. There was a tremendous, disproportionate modification. It was dubbed ‘non-consensual kissing.’ It has to reach the Supreme Court. There has to be sexual intent in the kiss. We have our arguments to say that there was a wrongful act, but not a crime.”

Political Undercurrents and Media Influence

Rubiales argues that the controversy was fueled by political motivations, targeting him during a sensitive moment for Spain’s government. He claims the socialist government, led by Pedro Sanchez, exploited the situation to distract from other political matters, including negotiations with separatists. “I saw an immediate move by the far left in this country, with an immediate change of script,” Rubiales asserted. “Pedro Sanchez needed the support of the separatists to be sworn in [as prime minister], and he had to grant them amnesty. It suited him well to talk about something else. It was a smokescreen.”

According to Rubiales, media outlets funded by the league intensified the narrative against him, painting the incident as more serious than it was. “Media outlets that receive significant funding from the league attacked me. I saw that the far left, with their hypocrisy of blowing a minor issue out of proportion… they were clearly after me,” he said.

Rubiales’ Resignation and Impact on Spanish Football

The fallout from the sexual assault conviction led to Rubiales’ resignation as RFEF president in September 2023. He contends that the decision was made to protect his staff, who were reportedly threatened with dismissal if he remained in his post. “An intermediary from the Secretary of State for Sport told me that if I didn’t resign, my entire team would be fired,” Rubiales revealed. “That they would talk to FIFA and get involved at the civil level and do whatever it took to go after me and my whole team. I did it for the group of people who supported me. That’s why I resigned.”

Rubiales continues to maintain his innocence, reiterating that the kiss shared with Hermoso was one of emotion, not sexual intent. He admits the gesture was inappropriate, but argues that its consequences were exaggerated. “It was a mistake, I wasn’t right. From there to everything that’s been blown out of proportion, distorted, taken to the extreme… with certain interests. It’s more than I deserved,” he said.

Contested Claims and Hermoso’s Perspective

Addressing claims that Hermoso was pressured to downplay the incident, Rubiales insists no coercion occurred. “I spoke to her on the plane. I told her that we should both come forward and say what we’ve said. She refused. It was said that there was pressure, and we requested the video to show that there was no such pressure, but the judge did not deem it appropriate to show the video.”

Rubiales further emphasized his respect for Hermoso, describing her as a friend and key contributor to Spain’s World Cup success. “I’m not apologising to Jenni Hermoso because I asked her and she said: ‘Okay’. Jenni and I know that what the ruling says isn’t true. It was a kiss of emotion, with no sexual connotation whatsoever. Jenni was a good friend, she missed a penalty… she helped us a lot in rebuilding the team. Jenni was my friend.”

Scandal’s Lasting Impact on Spanish Football

Rubiales’ sexual assault conviction has become one of the most damaging episodes in Spanish football history, overshadowing Spain’s first Women’s World Cup triumph. The scandal has reshaped both the sporting and political landscape in Spain, prompting broader discussions about consent, power, and accountability at the highest levels.

As Rubiales awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on his appeal, the case remains a pivotal moment for Spanish football. The outcome will not only determine Rubiales’ future, but may also influence how similar incidents are addressed in the sport moving forward. For more updates on this case and other football news, visit for more news.

Opinion: Lessons from the Rubiales Case

While Rubiales insists his actions lacked criminal intent, the episode highlights the importance of respect and professionalism in sport, particularly in moments of celebration. Regardless of the legal outcome, Spanish football must continue to evolve, fostering an environment grounded in integrity and awareness of boundaries. The Rubiales controversy is a reminder that leadership is about responsibility as much as it is about achievement.