Luis Rubiales is a former Spanish football official and professional player who, as of March 2026, is currently serving a three-year FIFA ban from all football-related activities following his conviction for sexual assault in February 2025. The landmark ruling by Spain’s High Court found Rubiales guilty of a non-consensual kiss planted on forward Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup medal ceremony, resulting in a fine of over €10,000 and a strict restraining order. While he was acquitted of separate coercion charges, the 48-year-old former President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) remains a central figure in Spain’s “#SeAcabó” movement, which has sparked a nationwide overhaul of sports governance and gender equality standards. As of early 2026, Rubiales is actively appealing his conviction in the Spanish Supreme Court while simultaneously facing a separate investigation into alleged corruption and money laundering related to the relocation of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
The 2025 Sexual Assault Verdict
The legal proceedings against Luis Rubiales culminated in a historic decision that redefined the boundaries of consent in Spanish law.
The High Court Ruling
On February 20, 2025, a Spanish judge convicted Luis Rubiales of sexual assault, ruling that the kiss given to Jenni Hermoso was “sudden and without consent.” The court dismissed Rubiales’ defense that the act was a mutual “peck,” noting that the power imbalance between a federation president and a player made the action inherently aggressive in a professional setting.
Sentencing and Penalties
Although prosecutors sought a 2.5-year prison sentence, the judge opted for a financial penalty, ordering Rubiales to pay a daily fine totaling approximately €10,800 plus €3,000 in direct compensation to Hermoso. Additionally, the court imposed a one-year restraining order, prohibiting Rubiales from communicating with Hermoso or coming within 200 meters of her.
Career: From Defender to President
Before becoming a global headline, Rubiales was a respected, if gritty, figure in Spanish football administration and play.
Playing Days and AFE Leadership
Rubiales spent most of his playing career as a defender in Spain’s Segunda División, notably with Levante UD, where he led a famous player strike over unpaid wages in 2008. This “warrior” persona paved his way to becoming the president of the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) in 2010, where he successfully advocated for increased financial security for lower-league players.
The RFEF Presidency (2018–2023)
In May 2018, Rubiales was elected President of the RFEF, immediately making waves by sacking national coach Julen Lopetegui just two days before the 2018 World Cup. His tenure was marked by significant financial growth—increasing the federation’s budget to over €400 million—but was equally defined by constant friction with La Liga president Javier Tebas.
Saudi Super Cup Corruption Probe
Beyond the 2023 World Cup scandal, Rubiales faces a secondary legal threat involving high-level financial misconduct.
Allegations of Commissions
Spanish authorities are currently investigating a €40 million-per-year deal to host the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, which was brokered alongside former Barcelona player Gerard Piqué. Investigators are looking into whether Rubiales received illegal commissions or “kickbacks” through offshore accounts, an investigation that saw him briefly detained at Madrid’s Barajas airport in April 2024.
2026 Legal Status
As of March 2026, the corruption trial is still in the “instruction phase,” with judges analyzing over 3 million euros in suspicious transfers. Rubiales has denied all wrongdoing, claiming the deal was entirely transparent and beneficial for the “modernization” of Spanish football.
Practical Information and Planning
For those following the systemic changes in Spanish sports following the “Rubiales Case,” several new protocols and entities have emerged by 2026.
The New “Ley Rubiales” Protocols
Reporting Abuse: Athletes in Spain can now report non-consensual behavior through the independent CSD (Consejo Superior de Deportes) portal, which bypasses internal federation committees.
Mandatory Training: All executive members of Spanish sports federations must now complete bi-annual sensitivity and gender equality certification.
Legal Support: Victims of institutional harassment in sports are now entitled to state-funded legal counsel under the revised 2025 sports law.
FAQs
Is Luis Rubiales in prison in 2026?
No, Luis Rubiales was not given a custodial sentence; he was instead ordered to pay a fine of €10,800 and compensation after being found guilty of sexual assault.
Can Luis Rubiales work in football again?
His current 3-year FIFA ban expires on October 30, 2026. However, even after the ban ends, the “Rubiales Law” and his criminal record make it highly unlikely he will hold a high-ranking position in European football again.
What happened to the coercion charges?
The court acquitted Rubiales of coercion in February 2025, stating there was insufficient evidence that he “intimidated” Jenni Hermoso into making a video statement defending him.
Who replaced Luis Rubiales as RFEF President?
Following a period of interim leadership, Pedro Rocha initially took over, though the federation has undergone further structural elections to distance itself from the Rubiales era.
Was Gerard Piqué involved in the Rubiales corruption case?
Piqué’s company, Kosmos, was a key broker in the Saudi Super Cup deal, and while he has been questioned, as of March 2026, he has not been charged with a crime.
What is the “restraining order” Rubiales must follow?
He is forbidden from contacting Jenni Hermoso or coming within 200 meters of her for a period of one year following the February 2025 verdict.
Does Luis Rubiales still have a salary from UEFA?
No, his resignation in September 2023 ended his role as a UEFA Vice-President and terminated his annual salary, which was estimated at €250,000 for that role alone.
How did the “Se Acabó” movement start?
The movement began with a tweet from Spanish star Alexia Putellas (“It’s over”) following Rubiales’ defiant “I will not resign” speech at the RFEF assembly.
Where is Luis Rubiales living now?
He reportedly divides his time between his residence in Madrid and his hometown of Motril, while frequently traveling to the Dominican Republic, where he has business interests.
Is Jenni Hermoso still playing in 2026?
Yes, Jenni Hermoso continues to be an active player and a vocal advocate for women’s rights in sport, having recently published a memoir about the events of 2023.
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