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On Thursday, February 20, a Spanish court found former football chief Luis Rubiales guilty of sexual assault for kissing footballer Jenni Hermoso without her consent after Spain’s 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup win. While the incident surfaced after Spain’s win, the footballer took it for trials, eventually coming out victorious.
On Thursday, Rubiales was acquitted of coercion and was handed a fine of USD 10,455 by the Audiencia National Court. Moreover, he was also ordered not to go within a 200 metre radius of Hermoso and banned him from comminicating with her for a period of an year. But after the decision from the Spanish court, Rubiales appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but suffered a rejection.
Luis Rubiales’ appeal rejected by CAS after Spanish court orders ban
On Friday, February 21, the CAS rejected the appeal from former football adminstrator regarding his disqualification from football-related activities for his non-consensual kiss to Jenni Hermoso. The CAS panel concluded that Rubiales conduct “consituted multiple serious violations of the FIFA Disciplinary Code” and validated the punishment as appropriate.
“The appeal sought to set the contested decision aside, or in the alternative to set it partially aside and amend the sanction, or in the further alternative, apply any other disciplinary measures,” the CAS stated. “The appeal by Mr Rubiales is dismissed and the contested decision if maintained,” the CAS further announced.
In another instance, the Spanish footballer has opined to appeal the verdict in the case of former Spain football chief after the latter escaped jail-time despite being found guilty. “It is her intention” to appeal, lawyer Angel Chavarria said.
