Spain Football Kiss "Stained" World Cup Win, Hermoso Tells Trial

 

Spain Football Kiss "Stained" World Cup Win, Hermoso Tells Trial

Spanish football star Jenni Hermoso has testified that the kiss she received from former football chief Luis Rubiales during the 2023 Women's World Cup medal ceremony "stained one of the happiest days of my life."

Hermoso, 34, was the first witness in Rubiales' trial, where he faces charges of sexual assault and coercion. Speaking in court in Madrid, she stated, "My boss was kissing me, and this shouldn't happen in any social or work setting."

A Controversial Moment

The incident occurred as Spain celebrated their World Cup victory in Australia. During the medal ceremony, Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips, sparking global outrage and calls for his resignation. While he maintains that the kiss was consensual, Hermoso firmly rejected this claim, saying she never gave permission and felt "disrespected as a woman."

Recalling the moment, she said, "I greeted the queen and her daughter. The next thing I knew, Rubiales grabbed me by the ears and kissed me on the mouth." She added, "A kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so."

Fallout and Pressure

Hermoso described feeling abandoned by the Spanish football federation in the aftermath. Although she continued celebrating with her teammates, she noted that some initially made light of the situation until fellow player Irene Paredes intervened, saying, "Stop, this is serious."

She also testified that she was pressured to downplay the incident. Soon after the kiss, she was asked to approve a statement minimizing it, which she refused. Rubiales later requested that she record a video with him on the flight home to defend him against growing accusations online. "I said no, that I was not going to do anything, that I was not the cause of this," she told the court.

During the flight, Hermoso noticed people gathering around Rubiales and saw his daughters crying.

Legal Battle and Ongoing Impact

Prosecutors are seeking a one-year prison sentence for Rubiales on the sexual assault charge and an additional one-and-a-half years for coercion. He denies any wrongdoing.

At the time of the incident, Rubiales dismissed criticism as a "witch-hunt" fueled by "fake feminism" but ultimately resigned. Three former colleagues—World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda, ex-marketing chief Rubén Rivera, and former sporting director Albert Luque—are also on trial for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to say the kiss was consensual. All deny the charges.

Hermoso revealed that the ordeal has profoundly affected her life, leading to death threats and forcing her to leave Madrid. She now plays club football in Mexico while continuing to represent Spain’s national team.

Spain's Equality Minister Ana Redondo praised Hermoso's "bravery" in a post on X ahead of the trial, which is set to run until February 19.