'They had biggest moment of their careers stolen' - what next for Spain?

Prosecutors wanted Luis Rubiales to be jailed for sexual assault

A total of 550 days after a kiss that shook Spanish and global football, Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexual assault.

On Thursday, Spain's High Court found that the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) kissed Jenni Hermoso without consent during the medal ceremony after Spain won the Women's World Cup in August 2023.

Rubiales, who has always maintained the kiss was consensual, was fined €10,800 (£8,942). He was also banned from going within a 200m radius of Hermoso and from communicating with her for one year.

Rubiales was acquitted of coercion - for allegedly trying to pressure Hermoso into saying publicly that the kiss was consensual.

"Such a conviction seemed unimaginable until four or five years ago," Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague told the BBC Euro League's podcast.

"For that we must thank Jenni and her team-mates, who got the biggest sporting moment of their careers stolen from them.

"Something good came out of that sad moment."

BBC Sport explores the key issues in one of the darkest chapters in the history of women's sport.

How did we get here?

Rubiales kissing one of the biggest stars in women's football and the fallout that followed was the culmination of years of discontent behind the scenes.

Jorge Vilda, Spain's coach at the World Cup, was only the second person to manage La Roja since 1988.

His predecessor, Ignacio Quereda, was in post for nearly 27 years and was sacked only when his entire squad called for his dismissal after their poor performance at the 2015 World Cup. Several players had reportedly refused to play for the national team while he was in charge.

In September 2022, less than a year before their World Cup win, Spain's players led a 'revolt'.

The RFEF released a statement stating 15 players had submitted identical emails saying they would not play for Vilda unless "significant" concerns over their "emotional state" and "health" were addressed.

'Las 15' - as the players became known - denied claims they had asked for Vilda to be sacked, but tension followed amid reports of concern over training methods and inadequate game preparation.

Only three of 'Las 15' were in the Spain squad for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Spain defied the odds to win the competition for the first time in their history - but then came the kiss.

'Society is polarised - and trial reflected that'

'It's over' - protests in support of Hermoso and against Rubiales took place in Spain

David Menayo Ramos, a journalist at Marca, said the trial was broadcast on YouTube, reflecting what a huge moment it was in Spanish society.

"The verdict is something that everyone is waiting for," he told BBC Sport before the verdict was announced.

"Society is polarised and the trial is a reflection of that."

It was an incident that went beyond football, with BBC News journalist Guy Hedgecoe describing it as "Spain's 'me too' movement".

The phrase 'se acabo' - 'it's over' - became the rallying call in Spain in the hours and days after the incident.

Protests were held across the country. Fifa, the United Nations and countless players and clubs condemned Rubiales' behaviour. And 81 one Spain players - including all 23 World Cup winners - said they would not play for the team again while Rubiales remained in charge.

Rubiales initially said he would not resign, but stepped down three weeks after the incident. It was announced in May 2024 he would stand trial, and proceedings began in early February.

"You can find flaws in the judgement, flaws that have left people with a bitter-sweet taste," Balague said.

"It still feels like those in power can get away with things."

'Players went through an ordeal'

In her testimony earlier this month, Hermoso said the incident had "stained one of the happiest days of my life".

Speaking shortly before the verdict was announced, England and Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze, who played in the 2023 World Cup final, praised the bravery of Hermoso and her Spain team-mates.

"I am good friends with a lot of the players involved around it. It's been incredible that these players have had to go through that," Bronze said during an England news conference.

"Not only winning the World Cup and the media on the outside of it, but they are in the court case and speaking out. It's incredibly brave of all the individuals and the team collectively.

"They are fighting for change, not just in that court case but in their federation. I have been there last season at Barcelona - watching players go through the ordeal after the World Cup was challenging.

"They are incredible people and unbelievable players as well. We stand by the Spanish players and we wish them the best."

Spain captain Irene Paredes, who testified in support of Hermoso, said she respected the court's ruling, adding: "What I find somehow striking and strange is that there is no conviction for coercion".

Paredes added that this opinion reflected the views of the Spain locker room.

On Friday, Hermoso's lawyer, Angel Chavarria, said the player intended to appeal, but did not provide further details on what specifically she was appealing against.

What next for Rubiales?

Rubiales has said he will also appeal against the verdict.

The court said prosecutors had requested a custodial sentence of two and a half years for Rubiales - one year for the kiss and 18 months for coercion.

"He is not going to prison but he has always insisted he did nothing wrong," Hedgecoe added.

"During the trial he said maybe he got a little bit carried away during the medal ceremony and he wasn't behaving in the way he should have done as an institutional figure, but he said there is a big difference between that and committing a crime."

Spain play Belgium in Valencia on Friday (kick-off 17:45 GMT) in their Women's Nations League opener.

England then host Spain at Wembley on Wednesday, 26 February (kick-off 20:00 GMT) as the sides meet for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final.