Spain's Bonmatí hopes Hermoso's ordeal in Rubiales trial not in vain

As side prepare for Lionesses, midfielder wants to believe institutional change is coming

- Suzanne Wrack

Aitana Bonmatí said she "has to believe" that change will happen and that the fight of Jenni Hermoso and Spain players has not been in vain, after the conviction of Luis Rubiales for sexual assault.

Speaking in the buildup to tonight's game against England at Wembley, the first meeting of the two sides since Spain's 1-0 victory in that World Cup final in Sydney, the two-time Ballon d'Or winner - when asked whether she thought change would happen - said: "I have to believe. I believe this case happened for a reason and makes us more respected as women. People will realise it has been important, and it doesn't need to happen any more."

Last week Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation, was found guilty of sexual assault for kissing Hermoso without consent during the medal ceremony of the 2023 World Cup final, with the court ruling he pay a €10,000 (£8,290) fine. However, Rubiales and his three co-defendants were cleared of the charge of coercion, for having allegedly put pressure on Hermoso to say the kiss was consensual. Rubiales has said he, too, will be appealing.

The 27-year-old midfielder echoed the surprise of her teammate Irene Paredes that Rubiales was acquitted of coercion. "Everybody here knows what has happened in the last few months and years," Bonmatí said. "The sentence is correct, it is a positive thing and the team feel the same. I was surprised that there was no sentence linked to coercion, but the trial has served a purpose.