In a courtroom packed with intrigue, Luis Rubiales asserted that he had received explicit consent from Jenni Hermoso before kissing her during the Women's World Cup medal ceremony in Australia. The ex-RFEF president, facing charges of sexual assault and coercion, maintained that the kiss was a spontaneous act of affection. He described the moment as a celebration, saying they embraced as champions, and she pressed her waist against him.
Rubiales Claims Consent in Court for World Cup Kiss Incident
Rubiales Claims Consent in Court for World Cup Kiss Incident
Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, insists that Jenni Hermoso consented to the kiss he planted on her during the medal ceremony after Spain's 2023 Women's World Cup victory, as the trial unfolds.
Rubiales, testifying before Spain's National Court in Madrid, stressed that he has known Hermoso for years. When asked if he requested a kiss, he stated he couldn’t recall the exact wording but affirmed that it was a ‘little kiss’. Prosecutor Marta Durantiez pressed on the terminology used, highlighting that "kiss" and "little kiss" could imply different things. Rubiales argued that given the celebratory context, a kiss was fitting, likening it to gestures exchanged during familial gatherings.
The trial has gained significant media attention, with attendees examining video footage that includes insights from a lip-reading expert. This expert claimed Rubiales appeared to ask Hermoso for a kiss, though the player's reaction remained unclear. Contrastingly, Hermoso has fiercely rejected the notion of consent, describing the incident as "staining one of the happiest days" of her life and likened her experience to a workplace assault.
In addition to the emotional toll, Hermoso has asserted that she faced pressure from Rubiales after the kiss to publicly endorse the encounter as consensual, an act she declined. She described feeling overwhelmed by the subsequent fallout, which even led her to relocate her family for safety reasons.
Rubiales admitted to making a mistake but defended the integrity of his actions, arguing that the incident has been blown out of proportion and denied any wrongdoing. His trial runs until February 19, with prosecutors seeking a two-and-a-half-year sentence. Additionally, three associates are implicated in the ongoing investigation, facing similar charges related to alleged coercion of Hermoso.
The political and social ramifications of the incident have sparked a wider "Me Too" movement within Spanish women's football, prompting athletes to rally against sexism in sports and advocate for equality with their male counterparts.
The trial has gained significant media attention, with attendees examining video footage that includes insights from a lip-reading expert. This expert claimed Rubiales appeared to ask Hermoso for a kiss, though the player's reaction remained unclear. Contrastingly, Hermoso has fiercely rejected the notion of consent, describing the incident as "staining one of the happiest days" of her life and likened her experience to a workplace assault.
In addition to the emotional toll, Hermoso has asserted that she faced pressure from Rubiales after the kiss to publicly endorse the encounter as consensual, an act she declined. She described feeling overwhelmed by the subsequent fallout, which even led her to relocate her family for safety reasons.
Rubiales admitted to making a mistake but defended the integrity of his actions, arguing that the incident has been blown out of proportion and denied any wrongdoing. His trial runs until February 19, with prosecutors seeking a two-and-a-half-year sentence. Additionally, three associates are implicated in the ongoing investigation, facing similar charges related to alleged coercion of Hermoso.
The political and social ramifications of the incident have sparked a wider "Me Too" movement within Spanish women's football, prompting athletes to rally against sexism in sports and advocate for equality with their male counterparts.
