Rubiales, addressing Spain's National Court in Madrid, expressed certainty that Hermoso had agreed to the kiss, which took place during the medal ceremony following Spain's World Cup triumph. He described the event as celebratory and explained that he leaned in for a kiss after Hermoso embraced him, attributing his actions to the shared euphoria of winning and their long-standing acquaintance. Despite this claim, Hermoso has strongly rejected any notion of consent, stating that the incident disrupted what should have been one of the happiest days of her life.

During the trial, Rubiales stated he was awaiting the approval for a kiss, recalling that Hermoso had responded affirmatively when he made the request. He sought to clarify his usage of the word "kiss" during the incident, suggesting it was a common expression synonymous with various types of affection. However, this contention was challenged by prosecutor Marta Durantiez, who pressed him on the nuances of his language at that moment.

Expert witnesses provided testimony as well; one lip reader supported Rubiales's claims by suggesting that video evidence showed him asking if he could give Hermoso a kiss, though he couldn't confirm her verbal response. Meanwhile, Hermoso, during her own testimony, refuted Rubiales's account, adamantly stating that no consent was granted and describing the kiss as inappropriate for the workplace and social settings.

The fallout from the incident led to significant public outrage and sparked discussions regarding sexism and the treatment of female athletes in Spain. Following mounting pressure and an ongoing investigation, Rubiales ultimately resigned from his position in September 2023, facing potential imprisonment if convicted. The trial, which has drawn widespread media attention, is expected to continue through February 19 as legal battles unfold, involving not only Rubiales but also other co-defendants implicated in the alleged coercive efforts surrounding the incident.