Former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales has claimed he asked Women’s World Cup winner Jennifer Hermoso for permission before kissing her during a 2023 medal ceremony, sparking controversy and criticism. However, Hermoso has said she never gave consent for the kiss.
Rubiales is charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of coercion, and prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half year prison sentence. During his testimony at the trial in Madrid, Rubiales claimed he got carried away in the moment but acknowledged he made a mistake. Hermoso has described the incident as “tainted” and said it had a lasting impact on her life.
Protests followed the incident in several Spanish cities, highlighting concerns about misogyny in sport and wider Spanish society. Rubiales has denied that the kiss was non-consensual, saying it was “mutual”. However, Hermoso has consistently denied this claim.
New evidence emerged during the trial, with lip-reading experts testifying on Rubiales’ behalf. One expert claimed to have seen videos of the incident where Rubiales asked for permission, while another stated that the footage had not been manipulated. Despite these claims, many believe Hermoso’s account is more credible, and prosecutors continue to push for a serious sentence for Rubiales.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/11/sport/luis-rubiales-testimony-spain-scli-intl/index.html