By Kwame Bediako
Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, testified in court in Madrid, asserting that player Jenni Hermoso had given her consent for him to kiss her following Spain’s victory at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
“I am absolutely sure that she gave me her permission,” Rubiales stated, claiming the moment was spontaneous and celebratory. However, Hermoso has consistently denied that any such consent was given, marking a stark contrast in narratives between the two parties involved.
The 47-year-old faces charges of sexual assault for kissing Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony in Australia.
The prosecution alleges that he attempted to coerce Hermoso into publicly stating the kiss was consensual, a claim Rubiales denies. “I asked her if I could give her a little kiss, and she said ‘okay’,” he asserted in court, reinforcing his stance that the interaction was fully consensual.
During his court appearance, Rubiales acknowledged that the kiss was a mistake, admitting he acted more like a former player than the president of the football federation.
He expressed regret for his actions, stating, “I apologised for my behaviour because it was not adequate.” He further explained that the federation was facing an institutional crisis at the time, prompting officials to encourage Hermoso to downplay the incident. However, he explicitly denied pressuring her to do so.
Adding complexity to the case, Hermoso and her teammates presented conflicting accounts during their testimonies, with assertions that Hermoso felt significant distress from the incident. An expert in lip reading testified that Rubiales had asked, “Can I give you a little kiss?” which could potentially influence the court’s perception of consent. Rubiales defended his actions by suggesting that the celebratory context and their long acquaintance justified the kiss, likening it to how he interacts with family members.
The public reaction to the incident has fuelled a broader conversation about sexism in sports and women’s rights, echoing sentiments from the “Me Too” movement. The prosecution is seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales, who, if convicted, may avoid jail time if the sentence is under two years and he pays damages.
Alongside Rubiales, several former officials are also facing trial for their roles in allegedly pressuring Hermoso, all of whom have denied the charges. This trial not only highlights an individual case of alleged misconduct but also underscores the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the world of sports.
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