Luis Rubiales: The No-Brainer Guilty Verdict That Took Way Too Long

Justice (Finally) Served: How Luis Rubiales Was Protected for Too Long Before the Obvious Guilty Verdict

Well, duh. Of course, Luis Rubiales was found guilty. How could he not be? The moment he forcibly kissed Jenni Hermoso in front of the entire world at the Women’s World Cup final, it was clear to anyone with common sense that this was a blatant assault. And yet, it took this long for Spain’s justice system to deliver a ruling that should have been obvious from day one.

Rubiales was convicted of sexually assaulting Hermoso, receiving a fine of €10,800 and being ordered to stay at least 200 meters away from her for a year. But let’s not forget that for months, he was shielded, defended, and allowed to claim—without consequence—that the kiss was consensual. He even tried to frame himself as the victim of some supposed crusade.

Too Much Protection, Too Little Accountability

For way too long, Rubiales was coddled by the Spanish football establishment. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) didn’t immediately cut ties with him. In fact, they tried to rally behind him. Remember that infamous moment when he stood at a podium, defiantly shouting "I will not resign" over and over while men in suits gave him a standing ovation? It was a moment that screamed everything wrong with sports institutions and their culture of entitlement.

He wasn't just protected; he was enabled. Despite the footage, the outrage, and Hermoso's own statements saying she never consented, Rubiales kept spinning his ridiculous defense. He claimed, “I made a mistake, but it was with consent,” which was contradicted by Hermoso herself at every turn.

And let's not forget the absurd allegations of coercion—where he and his circle reportedly pressured Hermoso to publicly downplay the kiss. While he was acquitted of that charge, it’s hard to ignore how much effort was put into trying to silence her and dismiss the entire incident as “overblown.”

At Least, Justice—Sort of—Was Served

This verdict is a win, but it’s a small one. Yes, he was found guilty, but let’s be real—€10,800 and a one-year restraining order? That’s it? The punishment feels like a slap on the wrist compared to the damage he did—not just to Hermoso but to the fight for respect in women’s sports.

Still, this case set a precedent. It showed that even someone as well-connected as Rubiales isn’t completely untouchable. It forced conversations about sexism, power dynamics, and the way female athletes are treated. Especially for Spanish women’s soccer. It led to Rubiales’ eventual resignation (after months of stubbornness), and it exposed the old boys' club for what it really is—outdated, toxic, and in desperate need of reform.

The real victory here isn’t just Rubiales' conviction; it’s that women in sports (and beyond) are done staying silent. The world saw what happened, the world fought back, and in the end, Hermoso’s truth won.

But let’s be clear: this should have never been up for debate.

Here are my thoughts on the court case: