Spain’s former top soccer official, Luis Rubiales, has testified at his sexual assault trial that he kissed star player Jennifer Hermoso after Spain won the 2023 Women’s World Cup as a sign of affection in “a situation of extraordinary joy”. The kiss and subsequent fallout have sparked a debate about sexism and gender equality in Spanish soccer.
Rubiales denied doing anything wrong during the encounter, saying he had asked permission before kissing Hermoso and that she had given her consent. However, Hermoso testified that she never gave consent and felt trapped. Video footage shows Rubiales grabbing Hermoso’s face between his hands and planting a full-mouth kiss on her.
The trial has also revealed pressure from top soccer officials to downplay the incident and persuade Hermoso to release a joint video statement with Rubiales. Three other men, including the team’s coach at the World Cup, are accused of coercion in connection with the episode.
Hermoso was left off the Spain team after the kiss, but her new head coach testified that her exclusion was not intended as punishment. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about sexism and gender equality in Spanish soccer, with some questioning whether progress made in recent years has been undone.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/world/europe/luis-rubiales-trial-spain-soccer-hermoso-kiss.html