Rubiales' unexpected kiss after Spain's 2023 Women's World Cup victory has led to significant legal consequences, with Hermoso's testimony spotlighting issues of consent and sexism in soccer.
Ex-Soccer Chief Luis Rubiales Faces Trial for Forcibly Kissing Star Player
Ex-Soccer Chief Luis Rubiales Faces Trial for Forcibly Kissing Star Player
Jennifer Hermoso recounts her traumatic experience during the opening trial against Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion.
Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spanish soccer, is facing a watershed trial stemming from a controversial incident involving Spanish soccer star Jennifer Hermoso. The trial commenced on Monday, with Hermoso testifying that Rubiales’ unwanted kiss had “ruined one of the happiest days” of her life. The incident occurred after Spain's national team clinched victory at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
In her emotional testimony, Hermoso, aged 34, expressed her shock and horror at the kiss, stating, “I didn’t look for that act, nor did I expect it." Her ordeal was further compounded by what she described as an "intense campaign" by Rubiales and other officials, which pressured her into publicly supporting him following the backlash on social media.
The kiss prompted national outrage, igniting discussions surrounding the underlying sexism prevalent within Spanish soccer, and marking a significant moment for Spain's #MeToo movement. Rubiales, aged 47, is charged with sexual assault and coercion, facing a potential two and a half years in prison if found guilty. Additionally, three other former soccer officials, including Jorge Vilda, the coach of the victorious team, are also implicated in the case, with potential sentences of 18 months if convicted.
Hermoso has consistently maintained that the kiss was not consensual, a claim that Rubiales has disputed. “I couldn’t react — it was a thousandth of a second,” she reflected during her testimony, shedding light on the trauma that the incident caused. As the trial unfolds, it aims not only to address the legal ramifications for Rubiales and his associates but also to confront the broader cultural issues that persist in the world of sports.
In her emotional testimony, Hermoso, aged 34, expressed her shock and horror at the kiss, stating, “I didn’t look for that act, nor did I expect it." Her ordeal was further compounded by what she described as an "intense campaign" by Rubiales and other officials, which pressured her into publicly supporting him following the backlash on social media.
The kiss prompted national outrage, igniting discussions surrounding the underlying sexism prevalent within Spanish soccer, and marking a significant moment for Spain's #MeToo movement. Rubiales, aged 47, is charged with sexual assault and coercion, facing a potential two and a half years in prison if found guilty. Additionally, three other former soccer officials, including Jorge Vilda, the coach of the victorious team, are also implicated in the case, with potential sentences of 18 months if convicted.
Hermoso has consistently maintained that the kiss was not consensual, a claim that Rubiales has disputed. “I couldn’t react — it was a thousandth of a second,” she reflected during her testimony, shedding light on the trauma that the incident caused. As the trial unfolds, it aims not only to address the legal ramifications for Rubiales and his associates but also to confront the broader cultural issues that persist in the world of sports.
