Custom Affairs

On August 20, 2023, in front of a global television audience, Luis Rubiales — then president of Spain's football federation — grabbed Jenni Hermoso's head with both hands and kissed her on the lips during the Women's World Cup medal ceremony. She said, immediately and publicly, that it was not consensual. What followed was designed to make her doubt herself. The federation defended Rubiales. His mother locked herself inside a church in his hometown and went on hunger strike, calling the backlash a "bloodthirsty witch hunt." Hermoso testified that her life had been "on standby" ever since. She never changed her story. She filed a criminal complaint. She testified in court. In February 2025, a Spanish court found Rubiales guilty of sexual assault. The judge ruled plainly: a non-consensual kiss is sexual assault. Here is the full timeline of what happened. Read the full story below.

By Akber BukhariJul 6, 2026