Luis Rubiales, former Spanish football chief, lose World Cup kiss appeal

Former Spanish football chief loses World Cup kiss appeal

Luis Rubiales, the former president of Spain's football federation, has lost an appeal against his sexual assault conviction.

Rubiales was fined €10,800 (£9,206) in February for kissing captain Jenni Hermoso without her consent after Spain's women's team won the 2023 World Cup.

A Spanish appeals court upheld the fine, and also dismissed a separate appeal from prosecutors, who had sought a retrial and pushed for a jail sentence.

The incident - in which Rubiales grabbed Hermoso's head and kissed her on the lips - triggered protests and calls for his resignation.

He denied the sexual assault charge, describing the kiss as an "act of affection" and "completely spontaneous".

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