Trial date of 2025 set for ex-RFEF prez Rubiales

Former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales will stand trial on Feb. 3, 2025, for his unsolicited kiss of national team player Jenni Hermoso.

A total of 11 sessions will be held from Feb. 3-19, 2025, at Spain’s high court in San Fernando de Henares, Madrid.

Rubiales faces one count of sexual assault and one of coercion for his alleged actions in the aftermath of the kiss.

Spanish prosecutors are seeking a prison term of two years and six months for Rubiales, and one year less for three other men facing charges.

The former coach of the women’s national team, Jorge Vilda, the team’s former sporting director, Alberto Luque, and the former head of marketing at the federation, Ruben Rivera, are all accused of coercing Hermoso into saying the kiss was consensual.

Rubiales, 46, grabbed Hermoso and kissed her on the lips Aug. 20 during the awards ceremony on the pitch immediately after Spain‘s victory in the women’s World Cup in Sydney. The kiss made global headlines and caused a national debate in Spain about sexism. Hermoso and her teammates said the kiss was unwanted and demeaning, but Rubiales argued it was consensual and denied any wrongdoing.

Rubiales was forced to resign and Vilda was dismissed.

Vilda is currently in charge of Morocco’s women’s national team.