World Cup champion Jenni Hermoso testified in court that she "never" consented to a kiss from former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales, describing the incident as a moment that "tainted one of the happiest days of my life." The controversial kiss occurred during the medal ceremony after Spain’s victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney in August 2023.
Rubiales, now facing trial in Madrid, is accused of sexual assault and coercing Hermoso into claiming the kiss was consensual. He has denied all charges. During her testimony, the 34-year-old Hermoso, who is Spain’s all-time top goalscorer, expressed feelings of disrespect and discomfort, stating, "I didn’t hear or understand anything," before detailing how Rubiales grabbed her by the ears and kissed her.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the incident, Hermoso shared that the experience overshadowed her joy as a world champion. "All this meant I couldn’t enjoy at all being a world champion after I landed back in Madrid," she said, highlighting the emotional toll the event took on her. She recounted realizing the extent of the scandal during the return flight, where she noticed people gathering around Rubiales and his daughters appearing distressed.
Hermoso also described an encounter on the plane where Rubiales asked her to record a video defending him against accusations circulating on social media. She firmly rejected his request, asserting that she was not responsible for the situation. The fallout from the kiss led to significant public outrage, protests advocating for an end to sexist violence in sports, and a boycott by both the women’s and men’s national teams in Spain.
The prosecution claims that Hermoso was pressured to downplay the incident and that her family was warned about potential repercussions to her career if she did not comply. The trial includes other defendants, including former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, who are accused of applying pressure on Hermoso.
Rubiales, who initially refused to resign from his position, was ultimately dismissed and banned from all football-related activities for three years by FIFA in October 2023. The trial, expected to last at least ten days, could result in a prison sentence for Rubiales, with prosecutors seeking more than two years of incarceration.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to resonate deeply within the sporting community and beyond, highlighting ongoing issues of consent and respect in sports.