Trending 
Spanish prosecutors have called for the trial of former football federation chief Luis Rubiales to be annulled and re-run, citing concerns over the judge’s impartiality.
Rubiales was convicted of sexual assault last month for forcibly kissing footballer Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women’s World Cup medal ceremony. He was fined €10,800 ($11,670) but avoided jail, a verdict that was widely criticised by feminist groups.
Prosecutors, who had initially sought a two and a half-year prison sentence for Rubiales, argue that the trial was marred by judicial bias. In a statement, they accused Judge José Manuel Fernández-Prieto of preventing key questions from being asked and disregarding crucial evidence, describing the verdict as arbitrary.
Hermoso is also appealing the ruling, which cleared Rubiales and three others of coercion. The judge’s handling of the case had drawn scrutiny, with reports of him frequently interrupting and reprimanding participants.
The kiss, which occurred after Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory over England, sparked global outrage, forcing Rubiales to resign in disgrace and throwing Spanish football into crisis. Hermoso has since become a symbol of the fight against sexism in sport.
