In a dramatic courtroom showdown, Luis Rubiales revealed that renowned Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso had indeed given her full consent prior to him planting a kiss on her lips following the intense Women’s World Cup final in 2023. The ex-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) finds himself facing charges of sexual assault and attempts to manipulate Ms. Hermoso into publicly validating the consensual nature of the kiss. Testifying before Spain’s National Court in Madrid, Mr. Rubiales adamantly affirmed that the player had unequivocally granted him permission for the spontaneous kiss, emphasizing that it was a fleeting, spur-of-the-moment gesture. This incident unfolded during the medal presentation ceremony following Spain’s triumphant World Cup victory in Australia, sparking outrage, demonstrations, and calls for Mr. Rubiales’s immediate resignation, which he vehemently refutes.
During his testimony, Mr. Rubiales shared, “This was an incredibly emotional moment for her. As we exchanged expressions of gratitude, she embraced me tightly around the waist, and it was then that I sought her consent for a kiss, which she graciously accepted.” Continuing, he added, “I held onto her to prevent any awkwardness.” Under questioning about whether he had requested a simple peck or a more significant kiss, Mr. Rubiales admitted, “I cannot recall precisely, but I believe it was a brief kiss.” When asked about his knowledge of protocols addressing sexual harassment and violence, he acknowledged his awareness of these guidelines.
Contradicting Mr. Rubiales’s account, Ms. Hermoso testified that she never granted consent for the kiss and that the incident had marred what should have been one of the happiest days of her life. An expert in lip-reading presented evidence to the court, claiming that based on video footage where Ms. Hermoso’s face was obscured, Mr. Rubiales had indeed asked, “Can I kiss you?” Mr. Rubiales conceded that his actions on the podium were in error and not suitable, expressing regret that he had not maintained a more formal demeanor. Nonetheless, he refuted any allegations of misconduct.
Further complicating the legal saga, three of Mr. Rubiales’s associates stand trial for their purported involvement in the alleged coercion: Jorge Vilda, the coach of the World Cup-winning team, Rubén Rivera, the federation’s former marketing director, and former sporting director Albert Luque. All four defendants vehemently deny the charges brought against them. Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Mr. Rubiales. The trial, slated to continue until February 19, remains ongoing as the court delves into the intricate details surrounding the controversial post-World Cup kiss that has captivated the sporting world.
