World Cup Kiss Scandal: Testimonies Highlight Emotional Toll on Jenni Hermoso

Teammates of Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso shared emotional testimonies in court regarding the impact of a World Cup kiss from former football chief Luis Rubiales, continuing a high-profile trial in Madrid.

Teammates of Jenni Hermoso took the stand in Madrid’s National Court, sharing their account of the emotional aftermath following the alleged non-consensual kiss from Luis Rubiales during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup medal ceremony. Notable players Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, and Alexia Putellas spoke in support of Hermoso, who claims she felt "overwhelmed" and "disrespected" by the incident.

Putellas testified that Hermoso’s emotional state shifted significantly post-incident, explaining she was in tears and exhausted during the flight back to Spain. Codina supplemented this with a recollection of Hermoso being “sad” during their subsequent trip to Ibiza, a time that should have marked a pinnacle in their celebration of victory.

The incident, unchanged by Rubiales' denials of wrongdoing, sparked widespread outrage and protests, leading to calls for his resignation. Hermoso described the wider impact on her mental health, reiterating in court that the kiss was unsolicited: “A kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so.”

In an alarming revelation, Putellas mentioned that Rubiales pressured Hermoso during the flight to conform to a narrative that the kiss was consensual, igniting further allegations of coercion against him. Prosecutors are pursuing a year in prison for Rubiales on sexual assault charges and a year-and-a-half for coercion connected to his attempts to influence Hermoso’s public statements.

Meanwhile, three associates of Rubiales are facing an ongoing trial as accomplices in the alleged coercion, with all parties refuting any charges. The trial of Luis Rubiales continues amidst heightened scrutiny and emotional testimonies from those closest to the incident.