In brief
Teammates of Jenni Hermoso provided supportive testimony in court about her distress following a kiss from former football chief Luis Rubiales during the World Cup medal ceremony. Witnesses described Hermoso as "overwhelmed" and "sad," while Rubiales faces serious charges of sexual assault and coercion, which he denies.
In Madrid, the trial of Luis Rubiales, former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, commenced with significant testimonies from teammates of Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso, following a controversial kiss incident during the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup. Players Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes, and Laia Codina recounted Hermoso's emotional struggle after allegedly being kissed forcibly by Rubiales during the medal ceremony.Putellas remarked how Hermoso felt "overwhelmed" by the situation, while Codina noted that Hermoso was "sad" throughout their celebratory moments. This incident triggered widespread protests and demands for Rubiales' resignation. He has openly denied any wrongdoing, claiming the kiss was consensual.Hermoso, speaking in court, confirmed she had never granted permission to be kissed and felt "disrespected" as a woman. During the proceedings, Putellas reflected on her initial belief that the kiss could have been a "misunderstanding," but Hermoso later clarified the incident's gravity, displaying a video that shocked her.Paredes recounted a moment on the return flight from Australia, where she reprimanded teammates for making light of the incident, emphasizing its seriousness. Putellas described the emotional toll on Hermoso, stating, "She started crying from exhaustion," as they returned to Spain. The incident took a toll on Hermoso's well-being during a team trip to Ibiza, despite it being celebrated as a milestone in their careers.In addition to Rubiales, three of his associates–Jorge Vilda, Rubén Rivera, and Albert Luque–are being tried for alleged complicity in coercion. They deny the allegations. Local reports indicate that Vilda allegedly pressured Hermoso's brother, Rafael, to convince Hermoso to downplay the kiss incident.The court heard from Hermoso that, during their interaction, Rubiales had firmly grabbed her and kissed her without her consent. She also expressed feelings of abandonment by the federation, highlighting her mental anguish after the event. Prosecutors are advocating for a one-year prison sentence for Rubiales on charges of sexual assault and a one-and-a-half-year sentence for coercion, as the trial continues to unfold.
