Jenni Hermoso testified in the trial of former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales that the kiss he gave her at the 2023 World Cup "stained one of the happiest days of my life." As the trial's first witness, Hermoso expressed, "My boss was kissing me, and this should not happen in any social or work setting."
Rubiales faced backlash for kissing Hermoso on the lips during the World Cup medal ceremony in Australia, leading to protests and calls for his resignation. Hermoso informed the court that she had not given consent for the kiss, stating, "I didn't hear or understand anything." She continued, "A kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so."
Prosecutors are seeking a one-year prison term for Rubiales on charges of sexual assault, and an additional year-and-a-half for coercion, alleging he pressured Hermoso to publicly claim the kiss was consensual. Rubiales has denied the accusations.
Rubiales previously claimed the kiss was consensual and decried criticism as a "witch-hunt by fake feminism" before stepping down. Three other former colleagues, including World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda, former marketing head Rubén Rivera, and ex-sporting director Albert Luque, also face charges of coercing Hermoso into falsely stating the kiss was consensual. All defendants deny the accusations.
The trial is scheduled to conclude on 19 February.