Controversy Surrounds Rubiales Following Conviction and Public Incidents

Luis Rubiales continues to be one of the most controversial figures in the world of football. In February 2025, he was convicted of sexual assault for the now-infamous non-consensual kiss on player Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women’s World Cup medal ceremony. Although he was acquitted of coercion, this ruling marked a significant decline in his influence. His public relations effort, titled “Matar a Rubiales,” aimed to present his unfiltered perspective, as he maintains that he has been wronged by various institutions, the media, and political entities. However, the event ultimately exposed the severity of his fractured relationships, even within his own family.

During a recent event, attendees were stunned when a man stepped forward and threw two eggs at Rubiales. Speaking to Periodista Digital about the incident, Rubiales revealed that the assailant was his blood uncle, Luis Rubén, who is of the same age. Rubiales described his uncle as deranged and expressed confusion over his actions. He mentioned that he initially thought his uncle might be armed and feared for the safety of those around him, particularly a pregnant woman and her children. “If I had confronted him, we would be in a significantly different situation now,” he reflected.

Despite his conviction, Rubiales remains steadfast in his assertion that he did not commit a crime. He has since filed an appeal with the Supreme Court in an effort to exonerate himself. In an interview with El Chiringuito, he stated, “Yes, I have appealed the sentence. When there is a sentence, we all have an obligation to abide by it. We believe this is not sexual assault, and we have the right to appeal. There must be sexual intent in the kiss. We have grounds to argue that there was a wrongful act, but not a crime.”

Rubiales has consistently portrayed the backlash as an overreaction fueled by political and social agendas. “It was a mistake, I wasn’t right. But from there to everything that’s been blown out of proportion and distorted… it’s beyond what I deserved,” he asserted. He also pointed to perceived political motives, suggesting that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez used the incident as a distraction from other pressing issues.

What continues to frustrate many observers is Rubiales’ refusal to offer a direct apology to Jenni Hermoso. He has stated, “I’m not apologising to Jenni Hermoso because I asked her and she said: ‘Okay’. We know that the ruling is not accurate. It was a kiss of emotion, without any sexual connotation. Jenni was a good friend who played a significant role in rebuilding the team.”

Rubiales added that he had spoken to Hermoso on the plane and suggested they jointly clarify their position, but she declined. He insisted that they had requested video evidence to counter claims of pressure, although the judge did not permit its presentation.