Luis Rubiales arrives in court. (Image: Getty)
winner Jenni Hermoso has given evidence in court in the trial of Spain’s former football federation boss Luis Rubiales. The 47-year-old is facing charges of assault and coercion and could face a prison sentence of up to four years.
Rubiales is accused of kissing the Tigres UANL forward without consent after Spain’s win in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Sydney.
Hermoso claims his actions were not consensual, with the subsequent controversy overshadowing .
That was despite Rubiales arguing the kiss, which took place as the Spain side collected their medals, had been “mutual.” He then allegedly tried to pressurise Ms Hermoso into publicly agreeing with his version of events.
After being asked by a prosecutor at Madrid’s High Court if the kiss was consensual, Ms Hermoso replied: “Never.” She also outlined how she had since been affected by the kiss and the media frenzy that followed.
“I didn’t hear or understand anything,” added Ms Hermoso. “The next thing he did was to grab me by the ears and kiss me on the mouth.
Jenni Hermoso has given evidence. (Image: Getty)
“I think it was a moment that tainted one of the happiest days of my life. Until today it seems that my life has been on standby, honestly I have not lived freely.”
Prosecutors, along with Ms Hermoso and Spain’s players’ association, are pushing for a jail term of two and a half years for Rubiales. They are also seeking around £42,000 in damages and want him to be banned from again working in a sporting role.
Spain’s men’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente, as well as a number of Ms Hermoso’s national team-mates, are also expected to give evidence. The trial is expected to last until Wednesday. February 19.
Rubiales, who took notes as Ms Hermoso spoke, initially refused to resign despite public outrage over his alleged actions. He eventually some three weeks after the final.
He is only obligated to attend the first and the last day of the trial, according to the court. Former Spain coach Jorge Vilda, ex-sports director of Spain’s men’s team Albert Luque, and the federation’s former head of marketing, Ruben Rivera, will also be tried for allegedly trying to pressure Ms Hermoso into defending Rubiales.
The trial continues.