Spain’s Jenni Hermoso Claims She Did Not Consent to the Kiss During Luis Rubiales Trial

Jenni Hermoso, the 34-year-old Spanish women’s World Cup champion, faced former football federation president Luis Rubiales during his trial on Monday, asserting that she did not consent to the kiss that ignited widespread outrage over sexism in sports.

“I was aware it was my boss who was kissing me, and such behaviour is inappropriate in any social or professional context,” she stated regarding the incident broadcast to millions across the globe during the 2023 World Cup awards in Australia.

“This moment overshadowed what should have been one of the most joyous occasions of my life,” the forward remarked, while Rubiales sat nearby at the High Court of Madrid, taking notes.

Rubiales, aged 47, faces allegations of sexual assault in addition to attempts, alongside three accomplices, to pressure Hermoso into claiming that the kiss was consensual.

Despite later offering an apology for his excessive enthusiasm during a national celebration, Rubiales refutes the charges and maintains he is the target of a smear campaign.

When asked by a prosecutor in Madrid’s High Court whether she had consented to the kiss, Hermoso responded: “Absolutely not.”

“I was confused and didn’t grasp anything,” she continued, recounting the moment. “He then seized me by the ears and kissed me on the lips.”

Rubiales insists the kiss was consensual and dismissed criticism following the incident, yet Hermoso expressed feeling like a victim of aggression while also stating she faced pressure to sign a document absolving him, which she declined to do.

A World Cup victory marred

This controversy has overshadowed Spain’s first Women’s World Cup triumph and marked a significant pivot in the struggle of Spanish women players to highlight sexism and seek equality with their male counterparts.

The trial will feature testimony from several of Hermoso’s teammates, including Ballon d’Or recipient Alexia Putellas.

Rubiales has called upon his daughters to testify.

He and his co-defendants – including former national women’s team coach Jorge Vilda, ex-sporting director of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Albert Luque, and the RFEF’s former marketing head Ruben Rivera – are scheduled to testify on or after February 12, following witness interviews.

“I have faith in the legal system. I remain at ease,” remarked Vilda upon arrival.

The prosecution is pursuing a sentence of up to two and a half years in prison for Rubiales. In Spain, individuals facing sentences of fewer than two years can often avoid imprisonment by paying compensation, provided they have no prior convictions.

The fallout from the scandal included a strike among Hermoso’s teammates and led to significant shifts within the federation, including the dismissal of both Rubiales and his deputy, as well as the appointment of a woman as the head coach of the women’s team for the very first time.