Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso has testified in court against former football federation president Luis Rubiales, saying the kiss he gave her after the 2023 Women’s World Cup final was inappropriate and unacceptable in any workplace.
Speaking on the first day of the trial, Hermoso stated, “I felt it was totally out of place, and I then realised my boss was kissing me. This shouldn’t happen in any social or work setting.” She emphasized that a kiss on the lips should only happen with her consent.
Rubiales is facing charges of sexual assault and coercion, with prosecutors seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence. He has maintained that the kiss was a harmless gesture between friends celebrating a victory.
The incident occurred after Spain’s triumph over England in the World Cup final in Sydney, overshadowing the team’s historic achievement. “As a woman, I felt disrespected. It was a moment that stained one of the happiest days of my life,” Hermoso said.
The trial is being held at the National Court in San Fernando de Henares, near Madrid, and is expected to continue until February 19.
