The trial commenced on Monday in Madrid, with Hermoso expected to testify today after traveling from Mexico, where she currently plays club football. The proceedings are set to continue until February 19. The case ignited widespread protests and calls for Rubiales's resignation following his alleged act of grabbing Hermoso and kissing her on the lips during the medal ceremony after Spain's surprising win against England in the World Cup.
While Hermoso has stated that the kiss was non-consensual, Rubiales claims the interaction was mutual. The incident has since sparked a national conversation on sexism, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reflecting on the need for further advancements in the respect and treatment of women.
After maintaining a defiant stance for several months, Rubiales ultimately resigned from his position prior to the initiation of legal proceedings against him. Prosecutors are advocating for a one-year imprisonment for sexual assault and an additional 18 months for coercion, alleging that Rubiales attempted to pressure Hermoso into affirming the kiss was consensual—claims he denies.
Also involved in this trial are three associates of Rubiales, including Jorge Vilda, the coach of the victorious squad, who collectively face charges of conspiring in the alleged coercion of Hermoso.
The incident has reverberated throughout Spain's footballing community, drawing reactions from various generations. Isabel Fuentes, one of Spain's early female football pioneers, lamented how the controversy overshadowed the historic World Cup victory. In contrast, younger female players like Belén Peralta and Andrea Rodríguez express optimism about the progress in women's football, citing a shift in societal attitudes towards female athletes.
The outcome of this trial may not only affect Rubiales’s future but also significantly influence the ongoing discourse around the treatment and representation of women in sports worldwide.
While Hermoso has stated that the kiss was non-consensual, Rubiales claims the interaction was mutual. The incident has since sparked a national conversation on sexism, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reflecting on the need for further advancements in the respect and treatment of women.
After maintaining a defiant stance for several months, Rubiales ultimately resigned from his position prior to the initiation of legal proceedings against him. Prosecutors are advocating for a one-year imprisonment for sexual assault and an additional 18 months for coercion, alleging that Rubiales attempted to pressure Hermoso into affirming the kiss was consensual—claims he denies.
Also involved in this trial are three associates of Rubiales, including Jorge Vilda, the coach of the victorious squad, who collectively face charges of conspiring in the alleged coercion of Hermoso.
The incident has reverberated throughout Spain's footballing community, drawing reactions from various generations. Isabel Fuentes, one of Spain's early female football pioneers, lamented how the controversy overshadowed the historic World Cup victory. In contrast, younger female players like Belén Peralta and Andrea Rodríguez express optimism about the progress in women's football, citing a shift in societal attitudes towards female athletes.
The outcome of this trial may not only affect Rubiales’s future but also significantly influence the ongoing discourse around the treatment and representation of women in sports worldwide.
