In a landmark case involving the former Spanish football chief, testimonies reveal Jenni Hermoso's distress after an alleged forced kiss at the Women's World Cup.
Player Testimony Highlights 'Overwhelming' Emotions After World Cup Kiss Incident
Player Testimony Highlights 'Overwhelming' Emotions After World Cup Kiss Incident
Teammates testify about the emotional turmoil following the controversial kiss during the medal ceremony.
In a significant court session on Thursday, teammates of Spanish soccer player Jenni Hermoso shared their emotional accounts regarding the aftermath of the alleged kiss by former football chief Luis Rubiales during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia. Amidst growing public outcry, Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, and Alexia Putellas appeared at the National Court in Madrid to support Hermoso's claims of feeling "overwhelmed" and "disrespected" following the incident.
Ms. Putellas articulated that Hermoso was deeply shaken by the encounter, affirming that she was "overwhelmed" following the kiss. Codina echoed these sentiments, noting that Hermoso felt "sad" and "not enjoying herself" during what should have been a celebratory moment. The controversy ignited widespread protests, leading to demands for Rubiales' resignation after he kissed Hermoso on the lips during the medal ceremony. Rubiales, however, maintains that he did nothing wrong.
Testifying earlier, Hermoso recounted her discomfort, stating she never consented to the kiss and remarked on feeling "disrespected." While initially thinking the kiss might have been accidental, Putellas later learned from Hermoso that Rubiales' actions were far from appropriate. Paredes highlighted the seriousness of the situation, recalling an incident where she urged her teammates to stop laughing about Rubiales' actions during a bus ride to Sydney airport.
Putellas also revealed that Hermoso became emotional on the return flight, expressing that she felt drained and distressed after the incident. She told the court that Hermoso had been pressured to disavow her lack of consent. Hermoso was troubled, stating she would not trivialize the incident by denying her experience.
Codina further testified that during a team gathering in Ibiza, Hermoso displayed signs of distress, seemingly unable to enjoy what should have been a celebratory moment. Meanwhile, Rubiales faces charges of sexual assault and coercion, with prosecutors seeking a one-year prison sentence for the former football executive. Clarifying the situation surrounding their methods, three associates of Rubiales are also under trial, accused of attempting to coerce Hermoso into changing her narrative.
The trial continues as the implications of the incident reverberate throughout the sports community. Prosecutors demand justice for what they consider a serious violation and highlight the broader issues of consent and accountability in sports.
