Spain football kiss ‘stained’ World Cup win, player tells trial

Jenni Hermoso testified at the trial of former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales, stating that the kiss he gave her during the 2023 World Cup “tainted one of the happiest days of my life.”

Rubiales, the ex-president of Spain’s football federation, appeared in court in Madrid on Monday, facing charges of sexual assault and coercion related to the incident.

Appearing as the trial’s first witness, Hermoso said: “My boss was kissing me, and this shouldn’t happen in any social or work setting.”

Rubiales sparked major controversy when he kissed the athlete on the lips while the players received their World Cup medals in Australia, triggering protests and calls for his resignation.

Hermoso told the court that she had never given permission to be kissed.

“I didn’t hear or understand anything,” she said.

“The next thing he did was to grab me by the ears and kiss me on the mouth.”

She went on: “A kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so”.

Prosecutors have requested a one-year prison sentence for Luis Rubiales, 47, on charges of sexual assault.

They are also seeking an additional 18-month sentence for coercion, alleging he attempted to pressure Jenni Hermoso into publicly stating the kiss was consensual.

Rubiales denies all charges, maintaining that the kiss was consensual and previously describing the backlash as a “witch-hunt” driven by “fake feminism.” He eventually stepped down from his role.

Additionally, three former colleagues of Rubiales are on trial, accused of pressuring Hermoso to declare the kiss consensual.

Jorge Vilda, the coach of the World Cup-winning team, Rubén Rivera, the former head of marketing for the federation, and Albert Luque, the former sporting director, have all denied the allegations.

The trial is scheduled to conclude on February 19.