In a Madrid court, teammates of Jenni Hermoso recount her feelings of distress after allegedly being kissed by Luis Rubiales, while he faces serious charges including sexual assault and coercion.
Testimonies Unfold in Court as Teammates Support Hermoso After World Cup Incident
Testimonies Unfold in Court as Teammates Support Hermoso After World Cup Incident
Spanish players testify about the emotional impact following the controversial kiss by ex-football chief Luis Rubiales during the World Cup.
In a significant trial unfolding in Madrid, Spanish football players Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, and Alexia Putellas have lent their voices to support teammate Jenni Hermoso, who is alleging emotional distress after her alleged forcible kiss by former Royal Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup medal ceremony in Australia.
Putellas described Hermoso as feeling "overwhelmed" following the incident, while Codina noted that Hermoso was "sad" and not able to enjoy celebrations that should have commemorated their historic victory. The controversial kiss, which Rubiales has denied any wrongdoing for, triggered widespread protests and calls for his resignation.
During her testimony, Hermoso mentioned that she had never consented to the kiss, which left her feeling disrespected. According to reports from local media, Putellas initially thought the incident might have been a misunderstanding; however, Hermoso later expressed her confusion about Rubiales’ actions after showing teammates footage of the incident.
Further hearing from Paredes, she recounted urging her teammates not to take the incident lightly during a bus ride following the tournament. On their return flight to Spain, Putellas recalled Hermoso becoming emotional and crying from exhaustion, emphasizing her anger towards being pressured to publicly refute claims of a lack of consent regarding the kiss.
Codina's testimony revealed that during a subsequent team celebration, Hermoso appeared withdrawn and struggled to enjoy what should have been a joyful moment. The trial has also revealed that three of Rubiales' associates, including the national team coach Jorge Vilda, are facing charges for allegedly attempting to intimidate Hermoso into retracting her statement about the kiss.
Hermoso described the moment she was kissed as shocking—vividly recalling, "a kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so," reflecting her feelings of abandonment by the football federation. Prosecutors are seeking a one-year prison term for Rubiales for sexual assault and an additional eighteen months for coercion. The trial is ongoing, and the implications of this incident continue reverberating throughout the sport.
