Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spanish football, is set to face trial in Madrid on Monday. The charges stem from a controversial kiss he gave to World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso, which surprised viewers and ignited discussions about sexism in sports.
Rubiales, 47, is accused of sexual assault and coercion. Jenni Hermoso, 34, claims he pressured her to publicly say that the kiss was consensual. The incident occurred during the celebrations after Spain’s 2023 World Cup victory in Australia.
Initially, Rubiales downplayed the kiss, calling it a “consensual peck,” but he later resigned from his position as president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF). He denies all charges. Spanish prosecutors are pushing for a prison sentence of two and a half years, but in Spain, he could avoid jail time if he pays damages and has no prior convictions.
Hermoso, Spain’s leading goal scorer who plays for Tigres in Mexico, will testify at the high court. The backlash over the kiss affected the celebrations, prompting a #MeToo movement in Spanish football and sparking a broader conversation about gender issues in society.
Other individuals on trial include former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda and the RFEF’s former sporting director, Albert Luque. They are accused of trying to influence Hermoso’s response. The court will also hear testimonies from Rubiales and his co-defendants after the witnesses have been interviewed.
Last year, Spain’s high court found enough evidence to proceed with the trial, stating that the kiss was “not consensual” and an unexpected act. The moment came during the medal ceremony when Rubiales lifted Hermoso and kissed her in front of a large audience. Hermoso’s initial reaction was to tell her teammates, “I didn’t like it.” She later expressed feeling vulnerable and attacked, labeling the kiss as impulsive and without her consent.
In the wake of the incident, Rubiales dismissed critics as “idiots” and later issued an apology that many viewed as insincere. He claimed the kiss came during a moment of excitement and has claimed to be the victim of a smear campaign by “false feminists.”
Prosecutors assert that Rubiales pressured Hermoso after the kiss, attempting to persuade her to approve a statement that minimized the situation. Vilda allegedly spoke to Hermoso’s brother about the potential negative impact on her career if she did not support Rubiales’ claim of consent.
Rubiales has called for his daughters to testify, while several of Hermoso’s teammates are also expected to provide evidence. Meanwhile, Rubiales’ mother made headlines when she was hospitalized after going on hunger strike in a church to protest against what she described as “inhumane persecution” of her son.
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