Rubiales Claims Affection Amidst Sexual Assault Trial

Luis Rubiales testified in court that his controversial kiss with Jennifer Hermoso post-World Cup was intended as a sign of affection, despite facing charges of sexual assault and coercion, sparking discussions on consent and machismo in sports.

Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish soccer federation, testified in court on Tuesday, defending his actions after he forcibly kissed player Jennifer Hermoso following Spain's victory in the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Rubiales claimed the kiss was meant as a display of affection during a moment of immense joy, stating, “You don’t win a World Cup every day.”

The incident has led to Rubiales facing serious allegations of sexual assault and coercion. During his testimony at the Madrid courtroom, he insisted that the kiss was consensual, recounting that he had asked Hermoso for permission beforehand. “I asked her, ‘Can I give you a little kiss?’ and she said, ‘OK,’” Rubiales stated.

However, Hermoso's response differed significantly; she later asserted that she “at no time” consented to the kiss, mentioning, “I couldn’t react — it was a thousandth of a second.” She expressed discomfort over the encounter, emphasizing that it was an inappropriate act for a superior to demonstrate towards an employee.

This incident has ignited fervent national discourse in Spain, unveiling a conflict between traditional machismo attitudes versus the strides being made towards gender equality within soccer and broader society. The fallout from the kiss has not only forced a reckoning within Spanish sports but has also highlighted the imperative discussions around consent and the treatment of women in the athletic sphere.