Luis Rubiales tells court Jenni Hermoso consented to World Cup kiss

Luis Rubiales stated in court that he was "absolutely convinced" that Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso had consented to being kissed by him at the 2023 Women's World Cup final. The former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is currently on trial for sexual assault and is accused of attempting to coerce Ms. Hermoso into publicly stating that the kiss was consensual.

Rubiales, 47, said while testifying that the kiss was an "expression of affection," adding that the moment was "completely spontaneous." The incident, which occurred during the medal ceremony after Spain won the World Cup in Australia, sparked protests and calls for Rubiales to resign. He has denied any criminal wrongdoing.

Rubiales told Spain's National Court in Madrid on Tuesday that Hermoso "hugged" him during the ceremony. "I've known her for many years, and I kissed her because she is a champion. It was a wonderful moment for her," he said. "We are champions, and we thanked each other. She grabbed me hard by the waist, and then I asked her if I could give her a little kiss, and she said yes." He added, "I grabbed her so she wouldn't fall backward."

During the trial, Rubiales was asked if he had sought Ms. Hermoso's consent for the kiss or "little peck." "I don't remember very well," he responded. "But I think it was a little peck." Prosecutor Marta Durántez repeated, "Did you tell her kiss or kiss on the lips?" Rubiales responded, "I don't remember the moment, but it is clear that I said kiss. There are many synonyms." When asked if he usually kisses people on the lips, Rubiales told the court that he thought the occasion and the fact that he had known Hermoso for a long time justified doing so. He also added that he would act similarly with male players or his daughters during New Year's celebrations.

Rubiales' legal team called a lip-reading expert to testify, who told the court that, based on his analysis of video footage, the former football boss had asked Ms. Hermoso "Can I give you a little kiss?", but her response was not visible. The lip-reading expert also admitted that he had only analyzed a video posted on TikTok and could not determine who the video belonged to. Another expert called by Rubiales' team claimed that the video had not been modified in any way. According to Spanish media reports, Ms. Hermoso's lawyer asked the lip-reading expert if he could differentiate between words like "kiss, peck, pretty or small." "Yes, there would be a difference," he clarified.

Ms. Hermoso insisted in her testimony last week that she did not consent to Rubiales kissing her and that the incident "tarnished one of the happiest days of my life." She previously told the court: "My boss kissed me, and this should not happen in any social or work environment." The Spanish forward added: "Kisses on the lips are only given when I decide." Hermoso said that shortly after the kiss, she was pulled aside and asked to agree to a statement downplaying the incident, but she refused to do so. She told the court that Rubiales then asked her to record a video with him on the flight home because he was being accused of assault on social media. She said she received death threats, which prompted her to move her family to Mexico, where she now plays.

Rubiales admitted that he "made a mistake" on the podium and that his behavior was "inappropriate," saying he should have "played a more institutional role," but he denied committing any crime. He said the media attention the incident received was "absurd," adding that Hermoso had not blamed him for the incident at any point after it occurred. Millions of television viewers and the entire stadium witnessed the incident after the Spanish women's team won the 2023 World Cup. The ensuing uproar fueled a "Me Too" movement in Spanish women's soccer, with players seeking to combat sexism and achieve equality with their male counterparts.

Rubiales resigned in September 2023 after weeks of resisting pressure to step down, as well as after FIFA suspended him from his post and Spanish prosecutors opened an investigation. Rubiales also denied that he sent people to speak with Ms. Hermoso's family in an attempt to get her to agree to record a video with him to quell the public outcry. Three of his former colleagues are also on trial for allegedly conspiring to coerce her: World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda, former RFEF marketing director Rubén Rivera, and former sporting director Albert Luque. Each of them faces more than a year in prison for allegedly pressuring Ms. Hermoso to say that the kiss was consensual. All have denied the charges. Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales. The trial is expected to last until February 19.