Luis Rubiales faces trial today accused of sexual assault for kissing Jenni Hormoso, as ITV News’ Sports Editor Steve Scott reports
Footballer Jenni Hermoso has said the unsolicited kiss from former president of the Spanish football federation Luis Rubiales “tainted one of the happiest days of my life”.
Hermoso was speaking at a court in Madrid on Monday, where Rubiales is on trial charged with one count of sexual assault and one of coercion for the incident.
Rubiales is accused of kissing Hermoso after Spain’s victory at the Women’s World Cup final in August 2023.
The kiss, which Hermoso said was without her consent, marred the celebrations of the women’s team’s achievement.
“I knew I was being kissed by my boss and that should not happen in any social or work environment,” Hermoso said.
“I felt disrespected,” Hermoso said. “I think it was a moment that stained one of the happiest days of my life.”
She added: “Until today it seems that my life has been on standby, honestly I have not lived freely.”
When asked if at any point Rubiales had asked Hermoso if he could kiss her, the Spain forward said no.
“I didn’t hear or understand anything,” Hermoso said. “The next thing he did was to grab me by the ears and kiss me on the mouth.”
Rubiales is also accused of trying to coerce Hermoso into publicly supporting him following the incident.
The trial is expected to last at least 10 days. Among the nearly 20 witnesses expected to testify are Spain’s men’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente and some of Hermoso’s teammates on the women’s team, including former world player of the year Alexia Putellas.
Rubiales is required to attend only the first and the last day, according to the court. He was present on Monday as Hermoso gave her testimony.
A judge previously ruled that Rubiales’ kiss was “unconsented and carried out unilaterally and in a surprising fashion”, and he could now face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty.
Prosecutors, Hermoso and Spain’s players’ association want a prison sentence of two-and-a-half years for Rubiales, plus payment of €50,000 (£41,800) for damages, and for him to be banned from working as a sports official.
Hermoso is also asking for a court order banning Rubiales from being near her.
The kiss sparked widespread outrage in society beyond the game and ignited one of the most embarrassing scandals in the history of Spanish football.
Hermoso and her teammates refused to play as long as Rubiales was in charge and returned to the team only weeks later when the government mediated an agreement with the federation’s interim president to overhaul its protocols and give more support to its women’s side.
Rubiales has denied any wrongdoing, but was forced to resign and was banned by FIFA. Rubiales had said he was the victim of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists”.
The judge also ruled that former Spain women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, former sports director of Spain’s men’s team Albert Luque, and the federation’s former head of marketing, Rubén Rivera, should also be tried for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to defend Rubiales, something she refused to do.
They all also deny wrongdoing.
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