Spanish women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso testified at the trial of ex-football chief Luis Rubiales that she did not consent to the kiss in 2023.
Spanish women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso told the trial of the country’s former football chief Luis Rubiales on Monday that she did not consent to the kiss that sparked national outrage about sexism in sport.
Rubiales, 47, the ex-head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, is accused of sexual assault and coercion over the incident for allegedly trying to pressure Hermoso, 34, into publicly declaring that the kiss had been consensual. He kissed Hermoso on the mouth after Spain beat England in the final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Sydney.
Speaking on the opening day of the trial at Madrid’s High Court, Hermoso said: “I felt disrespected. I think it was a moment that stained one of the happiest days of my life.”
The kiss marred the celebrations of the women’s team’s achievement, sparked widespread anger beyond the world of football, and ignited one of the most embarrassing scandals in the history of Spanish sport.
Prosecutors, Hermoso, and Spain’s players’ association are demanding a two-and-a-half year prison sentence for Rubiales and €50,000 in damages.
Rubiales has denied any wrongdoing. He was forced to resign following the backlash and was banned by FIFA and Spain’s sports authority from holding an official position for three years. Rubiales has previously said he was the victim of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists” and that the kiss was consensual.
When Hermoso was asked by prosecutors at the trial on Monday if Rubiales had asked if he could kiss her, the Spain forward said no.
“I didn’t hear or understand anything,” Hermoso said. “The next thing he did was to grab me by the ears and kiss me on the mouth.”
Hermoso — who now plays club football in Mexico, as well as for Spain’s national team — said that after the incident and ensuing controversy, her life had been put on standby.
“I have not been able to really live freely,” she told the court.
Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence between one and four years if found guilty, according to court officials.
Three of Rubiales’ former colleagues are also on trial accused of coercing Hermoso into saying that the kiss was consensual. Spain’s former 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 all deny the charges.
The trial is set to last at least 10 days and 20 witnesses are expected to testify, including Spain’s men’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente and some of Hermoso’s teammates on the women’s team, including former world player of the year Alexia Putellas.
Additional sources • AP
