Spain's ex-football boss Luis Rubiales faces trial over Jenni Hermoso kiss at Women's World Cup

The High Court trial of Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, has begun in Madrid, following a strong backlash in the sports world against sexism for kissing Jenni Hermoso, a player on the FIFA Women's World Cup-winning team in 2023. Rubiales, 47, is accused of sexual assault and of allegedly trying to coerce Hermoso, with the help of three other men, into stating that the kiss was consensual.

Although Rubiales apologized for being overly emotional during the national victory, he has denied the criminal charges and claims he is a victim of political persecution. Both he and 34-year-old forward Hermoso arrived at court early on Monday, with Hermoso set to testify as the first witness. Millions of television viewers witnessed Rubiales grab Hermoso’s head and kiss her on the lips during the awards ceremony after Spain's women's team defeated England.

Rubiales claimed the act was consensual and initially scoffed at critics. Hermoso, however, stated that she was the victim of an assault and was pressured to sign a statement exonerating Rubiales, which she refused to do. The ensuing scandal overshadowed Spain’s first-ever Women’s World Cup victory and became a turning point for Spanish female footballers to expose sexism and achieve equal status with their male counterparts.

Early in the trial, Hermoso confronted Rubiales in court, stating that she did not consent to the kiss that led to his trial. When prosecutors asked if the kiss was consensual, Hermoso replied “absolutely not” while Rubiales sat taking notes. She said, "I didn't hear or understand anything. The next thing he did was grab my ears and kiss me on the mouth." She also stated, "I knew I had been kissed by my boss, which should not happen in any social or work environment." She considered it “a moment that tainted one of the happiest days of my life.”

The trial began at 10 a.m. local time, and several of Hermoso's teammates, including Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, will also testify. The trial is expected to last at least 10 days. Rubiales has requested that his daughters testify. He and his co-defendants—former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, former Spanish FA sporting director Albert Luque, and former FA marketing director Rubén Rivera—will testify on or after February 12, after the court has questioned the other witnesses. A judge previously ruled that Vilda, Luque, and Rivera should also stand trial for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to defend Rubiales, in addition to Rubiales, which she refused to do. They have all denied any wrongdoing.

According to the judge, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that Rubiales tried unsuccessfully to force Hermoso to appear in a video he produced and released, amid growing public outrage over his actions. The judge stated that there was also reason to believe that Vilda similarly pressured Hermoso's brother. According to the judge, Luque and marketing director Rivera were also involved in the alleged attempts to coerce her into supporting her disgraced boss. “I believe in justice. I am calm,” Vilda said upon arrival. A judge had previously ruled that Rubiales' kiss was "unconsented, unilateral and surprising." A new law eliminates the difference between "sexual harassment" and "sexual assault," sanctioning any non-consensual sexual act.

Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales, although in Spain, those sentenced to less than two years, without prior convictions, can often avoid jail time by paying compensation. Hermoso's legal team is also asking for 50,000 euros ($83,283) in damages from Rubiales and a ban from holding sports office. The scandal led to a strike by Hermoso’s teammates and the dismissal of several top officials at the football federation, with Rubiales’ right-hand man and successor also ousted, and a woman being appointed as the national women’s team coach for the first time.