Former Spain soccer head Luis Rubiales to face trial over Women's World Cup kiss

Luis Rubiales, the former head of the Spanish soccer organisation, will be tried for kissing a member of the national squad during the Women's World Cup without permission, Fox News reported.

During Spain's celebration of the Women's World Cup, Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent. 

According to a ruling on Thursday by investigating judge Francisco de Jorge, his kiss was "unconsented and carried out unilaterally and surprisingly".

In response to the noticeable public outcry, state prosecutors charged the former head with sexual assault and with attempting to pressure Hermoso into publicly endorsing him.

Rubiales has denied any wrongdoing.

He could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty based on a sexual consent law passed in 2022, according to authorities in Madrid.

In September, Rubiales resigned from his post amid the controversy. Two days after Hermoso made a formal accusation of sexual assault against Rubiales, state prosecutors in Spain charged him with coercion and sexual assault following the kiss.

He was suspended for 90 days after he refused to leave his position. He was the head of the federation since 2018 until his suspension.

In his address right after the "event", Rubiales said that he was the target of a "witch hunt" conducted by "false feminists". The defiant speech led to the initial suspension.

Hermosa and her teammates refused to play til he was in position. Later, the government had to mediate an agreement with the federation's interim president to overhaul its protocols and give more support to women.

The judge also found enough evidence to suspect that Rubiales unsuccessfully pressured Hermoso to appear in a video to quell the public pressure. 

The judge ruled that Rubiales, former Spain coach Jorge Vilda, sports director of Spain’s men’s team Albert Luque and federation's former head of marketing Rubén Rivera should be tried for their alleged involvement.