Spanish World Cup-winning footballer Jenni Hermoso testified in a Madrid court that her kiss with former FA president Luis Rubiales “was not consensual”. The incident took place after last year’s World Cup final, when Rubiales allegedly grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips, with a judge now deciding whether Rubiales should be tried for sexual assault and coercion, according to the British media BBC.
Spain’s top goal scorer gave evidence in court for around two and a half hours, claiming the kiss was “unexpected and in no way consensual”. Her testimony is consistent with her earlier statements to prosecutors, leaked to Spanish TV.
In a statement to prosecutors leaked to Spanish TV, Hermoso said she felt disrespected during the incident, stressing that she had done nothing to provoke such a situation, especially at the medal ceremony of the World Cup finals.
The court is examining the evidence, including CCTV footage, to determine whether to refer her criminal case of sexual assault and coercion to trial. According to the BBC,
Spanish law states that a kiss without consent can be considered sexual assault.
Hermoso’s initial statement after the final indicated that the kiss was consensual. However, she later claimed that she had been pressured by Spanish football federation officials to make such a statement.
Not only Rubiales is under investigation, but also the coach Jorge Vilda, as well as the federation managers Albert Luque and Rubén Rivera.
Rubiales claims that the kiss was a “mutual kiss”, but due to the pressure after the incident he resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation. After an investigation in September,
a judge banned him from coming within 200 metres of the footballer.
Recently, the 33-year-old announced a change of club, leaving Pachuca for Tigres UANL in Mexico.
Hermoso’s involvement in the scandal has made her a prominent public figure outside football circles. On New Year’s Eve, she expressed her gratitude for the positive changes in terms of equality and solidarity, congratulating the players of her Spanish team for the changes they have achieved, as per the BBC.
Also read: Luis Rubiales resigns as president of the Spanish Football Federation over a kiss
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