Jenni Hermoso confirms in court that Rubiales kiss was nonconsensual
World Cup winner testifies for two hours as part of investigation into former head of Spanish football federation
Footballer Jenni Hermoso confirmed in court on Tuesday that the kiss she received from the former head of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, during celebrations following Spain's World Cup win in August, was nonconsensual.
During her two-hour testimony in Spain's National Court (Audiencia Nacional) in Madrid, Hermoso also told judge Francisco de Jorge that Rubiales and others pressured her constantly during her return flight from Australia and subsequent stay in Ibiza (Eivissa), saying this altered her day-to-day life and caused her unhappiness.
The footballer ratified statements previously made to the Public Prosecutor and again denied Rubiales' version of events – that the kiss was consensual.
Hermoso said she was coerced by the then president of the RFEF and three other people, including the manager at the time, Jorge Vilda, who is also under investigation.
Hermoso's testimony brings to a close this part of the investigation, with around 20 people having testified, including witnesses and those under investigation.
The judge may or may not request further testimonies.
Rubiales banned
Rubiales' alleged forced kiss caused outrage internationally and marred the Spanish women's football team's first World Cup triumph.
FIFA, world football's governing body, provisionally suspended Rubiales from all football-related activity, nationally and internationally, from August 26, 2023, before banning him for three years after an investigation.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) also banned Rubiales from all football-related activities in Spain for three years.
Forced kiss
After the World Cup final on August 20, which Spain won 1-0 against England to become world champions for the first time, Luis Rubiales grabbed Hermoso's head and kissed her on the lips during the medal ceremony.
The federation chief posted an apology video from the Doha airport, which drew criticism for its apparent lack of sincerity or confession of wrongdoing. It later emerged that Rubiales pressured Hermoso to appear alongside him in the video, while Spanish team manager Jorge Vilda also pressured the player's family up to three times for the same motive.
Rubiales then refused to resign during an explosive speech given at an RFEF extraordinary general meeting, contrary to all expectations, while railing against the "false feminism" which he said was trying to "socially assassinate" him.
The RFEF head also claimed the kiss was consensual.
Following his refusal to step down, 81 Spanish players announced they would not be returning to the national team fold until there were significant changes in the directorship of the organization. The federation then threatened legal action against the players.
The Spanish Football Federation released various statements brandishing Hermoso a liar. In a personal statement, unlike most that were sent through her union, Hermoso denied that the kiss was consensual and explained that she felt the victim of an assault.
Manager fired
During Rubiales' EGM speech, the manager of Spain's men's and women's teams, Luis de la Fuente and Jorge Vilda respectively, were seen applauding the federation president's words. This in turn led to widespread criticism of each team manager.
Shortly after, the vast majority of Vilda's backroom staff resigned in protest. Yet, neither de la Fuente nor Vilda stepped down. De la Fuente later apologized for applauding.
The women's team manager was eventually fired. Vilda had long been the subject of controversy, stretching back to a year before the World Cup, when 15 players sent letters to the federation asking for improvements and changes.