Luis Rubiales tells court Jenni Hermoso consented to kiss

Luis Rubiales told the court that Spanish football player Jenny Hermoso gave her approval before accepting her after the Women’s World Cup final in 2023.

The former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is accused of sexual assault and an attempt to force Mrs. Hermoso to say publicly that the kiss was consensus.

Mr. Rubiales told the National Court of Spain in Madrid that he was “completely sure” that the player gave permission to the kiss, adding: “At that moment it was a completely spontaneous thing.”

The accident occurred during the medal ceremony after winning the World Cup in Australia, which led to protests and calls for the resignation of Mr. Rubiales. He denies any criminal violations.

Giving evidence, Mr. Rubiales described the kiss as “affection”.

“This was a tremendous moment for her,” he said. “We were thanking each other, and I pressed me very much about the waist, then I asked her if I could give her a kiss and said yes.”

He added: “I took her so that I wouldn’t back down.”

Mr. Rubiales was interrogated in court about whether he asked Mrs. Hermoso about a kiss or a “small kiss”.

He replied, “I cannot remember exactly.” “But I think it was a small kiss.”

He was also asked whether he was familiar with a protocol against sexual harassment and sexual violence, which he answered was aware of.

Mrs. Hermoso has already told the court that she had not granted permission to kiss and accident “One of the happiest days of my life”.

One of the two experts in reading the court lips told Tuesday that Mr. Rubiales asked Mrs. Hermoso, “Can I present to you a kiss?” Based on the video clips where the player’s face cannot be seen.

Mr. Rubiales admitted that he had “made a mistake” on the platform and that his behavior was “not appropriate”, saying that he should have been “in a more institutional role”, but he denied committing any crime.

Mr. Rubiales resigned in September 2023 after FIFA commented on him and the Spanish prosecutors opened an investigation.

Three of his former teammates are also tried with the alleged coercion: Jorge Felda, the coach of the World Cup, Robion Rivera, former head of the Federation Marketing, and former sports director, Albert Locke.

All the four defendants deny the charges against them.

Representatives of prosecution are looking for a two and a half years prison sentence. The trial, which lasts until February 19, continues.