Rubiales Claims Jenni Hermoso Consented to Controversial World Cup Kiss

In a court hearing, Rubiales explained that he believed the kiss was a spontaneous expression of affection following Spain's win.

Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), appeared in court asserting that he had "absolutely sure" consent from Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso before kissing her at the 2023 Women's World Cup final. This incident, which took place during the medal ceremony after Spain's victory in Australia, has led Rubiales to face accusations of sexual assault and influencing Hermoso to publicly claim the kiss was consensual. He described the kiss as an "act of affection," stating that it was a spontaneous moment following Hermoso's achievement.

During his testimony at Spain's National Court in Madrid, Rubiales emphasized that he had known Hermoso for many years and characterized the kiss as a moment of shared joy: "I've known her for many years and I kissed her because she was a champion. This was a tremendous moment for her," he explained. Rubiales indicated that before he kissed Hermoso, he felt her waist and asked if he could give her a kiss, to which she reportedly agreed.

Prosecutors challenged Rubiales’ account, with Prosecutor Marta Durantiez focusing on the precise phrasing used prior to the kiss. To this query, Rubiales said he could not exactly remember if he asked for a "kiss" or a "little kiss," later stating it was clear he was referring to a kiss. He suggested that the nature of the occasion justified such an affectionate gesture, asserting he would act similarly with male players or family members during celebrations.

In support of his defense, a lip-reading expert testified that based on video footage, Rubiales appeared to ask Hermoso, "can I give you a kiss?" but acknowledged that her response was not visible. A deeper examination brought to light Ms Hermoso's perspective from the trial. She insisted that Rubiales did not have her permission for the kiss, stating it "stained" one of her happiest moments. Hermoso's legal representative probed the interpretation of the words exchanged between them, emphasizing the significance of consent.

As the justice process unfolds, Rubiales admitted to making a mistake during the segment and stated he should have adhered to a more professional conduct. He expressed regret over the media frenzy surrounding the incident but maintained that Hermoso had never reprimanded him in the aftermath. He retired from his position in September 2023 after facing immense pressure and scrutiny, later indicating that he had not tried to persuade Hermoso to alter her account of the events.

The case has broader implications, as it has sparked a movement to address issues of sexism in Spanish women's football, emphasizing the need for equality among players. Alongside Rubiales, three former associates are facing charges related to allegedly coercing Hermoso into downplaying the incident, all vehemently denying the accusations. Prosecutors have set a proposed sentence of two and a half years for Rubiales, with the trial proceedings expected to continue until February 19, 2024.