Former president of the Spanish soccer federation, Luis Rubiales, defended himself in court on Tuesday, claiming that Jenni Hermoso granted consent for a kiss during the presentation ceremony following the 2023 Women’s World Cup final. This incident has led to accusations against Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion, sparking significant controversy throughout Spain and overshadowing the team’s historic victory.
Rubiales stated in court, “I asked her if I could give her a little kiss and she said ‘OK’,” expressing his firm belief in the consent he received. However, Hermoso has maintained since the trial’s initiation that she did not give her consent for the kiss. Rubiales acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate, admitting that he acted more like a former player in that moment rather than upholding the dignity expected from his official role.
He expressed regret for his behavior, saying, “I should have had better self-control and not let my emotions dictate my actions. I should have acted more professionally.” Rubiales suggested that Hermoso was encouraged to minimize the incident due to an ongoing institutional crisis within the federation. He denied any claims that he pressured Hermoso or her colleagues to downplay the incident.
Rubiales insisted that Hermoso did not seem overly distressed by the kiss at the time, and when she refused to record a video alongside him, they respected her wish and opted for a separate course of action, which involved releasing a statement including her remarks to the media. In a stark contrast to Rubiales’ claims, Hermoso and her teammates testified that she felt significant emotional distress due to the kiss and was pressured to deflect attention from it.
On the trial’s second day, an expert in lip-reading testified, indicating that Rubiales had asked Hermoso if he could give her a kiss. Video footage was introduced, showcasing Hermoso’s jubilant celebrations and her remarks about the kiss. In recorded conversations, she expressed, “This was unexpected, but what matters is that we are world champions. I didn’t like it, but it was part of the moment and will remain an anecdote.”
Hermoso further downplayed the significance of the incident to the media, stating her belief that it wouldn’t turn into a major issue and that the focus should remain on their championship title. Amidst the testimonies, Rubiales was seen on video expressing disappointment over the aftermath of the kiss, stating he was saddened by how it affected the celebrations. Notably, Hermoso appeared to be in good spirits in reaction to his comments.
The defense attempted to undermine the credibility of previous testimonies made by Hermoso’s brother, who had claimed that the women’s national team coach, Jorge Vilda, pressured her into participating in a video with Rubiales to diminish the situation’s severity. A separate interview where Hermoso’s brother seemed to downplay the kiss was presented as evidence to sidestep claims of undue pressure.
On an upcoming court day, three other co-defendants, Vilda, former men’s national team sports director Albert Luque, and the ex-head of marketing Ruben Rivera, are expected to provide testimony. These individuals also face accusations of coercion related to the incident. Following the scandal’s emergence, Rubiales resigned and received a three-year ban from FIFA, characterizing himself as a victim of what he termed a “witch hunt” by “false feminists.”
In her testimony, Hermoso conveyed feelings of disrespect from Rubiales, noting that the kiss marred what should have been one of the most joyous days of her life. The incident has incited widespread discussions in Spain regarding sexism within sports and other domains. Prosecutors, along with Hermoso and the Spanish players’ association, seek a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales, a fine of €50,000 (approximately $51,800), and a professional ban from sports, while aiming for one-and-a-half-year sentences for the other defendants involved.
