The ongoing trial of former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales has brought emotional testimonies from teammates of footballer Jenni Hermoso, who described the aftermath of an alleged non-consensual kiss during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup medal ceremony. The proceedings, held at the National Court in Madrid, have painted a vivid picture of Hermoso’s distress following the incident.
Teammates recount Hermoso’s emotional response
On Thursday, star players Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, and Alexia Putellas took the stand to affirm Hermoso’s feelings of being overwhelmed after the kiss. Putellas shared that Hermoso was indeed feeling “overwhelmed” and emotional, while Codina expressed that Hermoso was “sad” and “not enjoying herself” during what should have been a celebratory time.
The incident occurred when Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips, a gesture that sparked widespread protests and calls for his resignation. Rubiales has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Hermoso previously testified that she had not consented to the kiss, asserting that it left her feeling “disrespected” as a woman.
“A kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so,” Hermoso stated during her testimony.
Putellas recounted her initial thoughts that the incident was merely a “misunderstanding,” but her perspective shifted after Hermoso shared a video of the moment, leaving her bewildered as to why Rubiales would take such action.
Concerns of coercion emerge
Paredes further testified about a conversation on the bus to Sydney airport after the World Cup final, where she urged teammates to refrain from joking about the episode, stressing that it was a serious matter. Putellas added that Hermoso was visibly shaken during their return flight to Spain, describing how she cried from exhaustion.
During the flight, Hermoso was reportedly asked to speak with Rubiales, who suggested she should “come out” and deny any claims that the kiss lacked consent. “She was angry and she said that there was no need for him to explain the facts to her because she had experienced it,” Putellas noted.
Codina also revealed that during their celebratory trip to Ibiza, Hermoso was “sad” and not enjoying what should have been a joyful occasion.
The trial also involves three associates of Rubiales, including coach Jorge Vilda, who are accused of colluding in the alleged coercion of Hermoso. Vilda allegedly pressured Hermoso’s brother, Rafael, to persuade her to create a video that would downplay the seriousness of the kiss, warning of potential “professional and personal consequences” if she did not comply.
As the trial unfolds, prosecutors are pushing for a one-year prison sentence for Rubiales for sexual assault related to the kiss, along with an additional year-and-a-half for coercion due to his alleged attempts to pressure Hermoso into publicly declaring the kiss consensual. Rubiales continues to deny all charges as the court proceedings move forward.