Three co-defendants, former Spain women's national team coach Jorge Vilda, former sports director of Spain’s men’s team Albert Luque, and the federation's former head of marketing, Rubén Rivera, were also charged with coercion.
It became a part of Spain’s own MeToo movement, called #SeAcabó or “It’s Over”, which saw a number of protests take place across the country, including in Rubiales’ hometown of Motril as a counter protest after his mother Ángeles Béjar announced a hunger strike against the "inhumane and bloodthirsty hunt" against her son.
Rubiales was accused of sexual assault after he kissed forward Hermoso while celebrating Spain’s victory at the Women’s World Cup final 2023.
The judge claimed there was evidence that Rubiales unsuccessfully pressured Ms Hermoso to appear in a video he produced and published while public outrage over his actions mounted.
They said there was also reason to believe Vilda likewise pressured Ms Hermoso’s brother, and Luque and Rivera were involved in the alleged attempt at coercion.
