Luis Rubiales, the ex-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has asserted in court that footballer Jenni Hermoso consented to the kiss he gave her during the Women's World Cup final. This statement has sparked significant debate as Hermoso maintains that the encounter was inappropriate and non-consensual.
Rubiales Claims Hermoso Gave Consent in World Cup Kiss Case
Rubiales Claims Hermoso Gave Consent in World Cup Kiss Case
Luis Rubiales insists Spanish player Jenni Hermoso consented to the kiss at the World Cup, while she vehemently disagrees.
The incident in question occurred during the medal ceremony after Spain's World Cup victory in Australia. Rubiales described the kiss as a spontaneous act meant to celebrate Hermoso's achievement, but his testimony contradicts Hermoso's accounts, leading to widespread controversy. Hermoso expressed that the kiss marred one of her most joyous occasions, drawing attention to the serious issues of consent and professional conduct.
In court, Rubiales defended his actions by claiming the kiss was a cultural norm in celebratory contexts, suggesting that he would have acted similarly with male players or family members. However, Hermoso testified that she never consented to the kiss and emphasized the impact it had on her life, including death threats that led her to relocate.
As the trial unfolds, various testimonies and expert analyses aim to uncover the truth behind the incident. Rubiales' team called upon a lip-reading expert who claimed that there was an intended question about consent, but Hermoso has staunchly refuted that interpretation.
The case has not only resurrected discussions about consent in sports but has also ignited a larger dialogue about the treatment of women in the industry, echoing a "Me Too"-style movement within Spanish women's football. Prosecutors are pursuing a two-and-a-half-year sentence for Rubiales, while his former colleagues face charges related to alleged coercion, underscoring the gravity of the accusations. The trial is set to continue, scrutinizing both Rubiales' and Hermoso's contrasting narratives amidst growing public interest.
In court, Rubiales defended his actions by claiming the kiss was a cultural norm in celebratory contexts, suggesting that he would have acted similarly with male players or family members. However, Hermoso testified that she never consented to the kiss and emphasized the impact it had on her life, including death threats that led her to relocate.
As the trial unfolds, various testimonies and expert analyses aim to uncover the truth behind the incident. Rubiales' team called upon a lip-reading expert who claimed that there was an intended question about consent, but Hermoso has staunchly refuted that interpretation.
The case has not only resurrected discussions about consent in sports but has also ignited a larger dialogue about the treatment of women in the industry, echoing a "Me Too"-style movement within Spanish women's football. Prosecutors are pursuing a two-and-a-half-year sentence for Rubiales, while his former colleagues face charges related to alleged coercion, underscoring the gravity of the accusations. The trial is set to continue, scrutinizing both Rubiales' and Hermoso's contrasting narratives amidst growing public interest.
