Former soccer federation chief of Spain, Luis Rubiales, has informed a court that player Jenni Hermoso had consented to the kiss on the lips that ignited his trial for sexual assault and initiated a discussion in Spain regarding sexism in women’s football.
“I am completely confident that she granted me her permission,” Mr. Rubiales stated in the Madrid court. “I asked her: ‘Can I give you a little kiss?’ She replied: ‘all right.’ That is what transpired.”
Mr. Rubiales, aged 47, faces accusations of sexual assault for kissing Ms. Hermoso on the lips and allegedly trying to pressure her—with the aid of three other former soccer federation officials—into publicly declaring that the kiss during the 2023 World Cup awards ceremony in Sydney was consensual.
He has refuted the allegations, claiming the kiss was consensual, while Ms. Hermoso asserts it was not.
When queried about whether he typically kisses people on the lips, Mr. Rubiales explained to the court that the context and the length of his acquaintance with Ms. Hermoso justified the action. He mentioned he would do something similar with a male player or one of his daughters during New Year celebrations.
Luis Rubiales takes the stand during his trial at the court of San Fernando de Henares, located east of Madrid.
The prosecution is seeking a 2.5-year prison sentence for Mr. Rubiales. In Spain, individuals sentenced to under two years usually avoid prison time by paying damages, provided they have no prior convictions.
Alongside Mr. Rubiales, former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, former Spanish football federation (RFEF) sporting director Albert Luque, and the RFEF’s previous head of marketing, Ruben Rivera, are also facing trial for their alleged involvement in pressuring Ms. Hermoso.
They have all denied the accusations.
After Spain’s victory over England in Sydney on August 20, 2023, Mr. Rubiales was seen clutching his crotch in celebration at the final whistle while standing near Queen Letizia of Spain and her daughter, Princess Sofia.
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Subsequently, during the medal presentation, he seemingly lifted Ms. Hermoso off her feet, then seized her by the head and pulled her towards him to kiss her on the lips.
Mr. Rubiales asserted that there was no sexual intent behind the kiss and he believed it did not amount to a crime. However, he acknowledged that he realized almost instantly that the act was a blunder.
“I messed up, that’s clear now. I should have taken a more institutional approach,” he remarked.
In her testimony last week, Ms. Hermoso stated that she did not consent to the kiss and mentioned that the ensuing controversy had marred what should have been one of the most joyous days of her life.
Jenni Hermoso pictured leaving court earlier this month.
She described being pressured to agree to a statement minimizing the significance of the kiss and claimed that when she rejected the idea, Mr. Vilda approached her brother and warned him that her career would suffer if she did not help calm the rising outrage on social media regarding the kiss.
Mr. Rubiales denied instructing Mr. Vilda to speak to Ms. Hermoso’s brother, asserting that the former coach had acted “to assist her.”
A verdict in this case is anticipated in March, approximately one month after the conclusion of witness testimonies.
Mr. Rubiales has portrayed himself as a victim of a campaign led by “false feminists.” He initially resisted resigning from his position as federation president but later conceded and was subsequently banned from all football-related activities for three years by FIFA, the governing body of soccer.
