Spain
Hermoso gives evidence as judge investigates former Spanish Football Federation president over kiss after World Cup win
Spanish soccer player Jenni Hermoso has testified before a judge investigating the kiss she received from then-Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales after Spain's victory in the World Cup final last August.
Rubiales' decision to take Hermoso's head in his hands and kiss her on the lips sparked an outcry and a national and international debate about sexism. This also led to Rubiales being investigated by a judge at Spain's highest criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional, for alleged sexual assault and coercion.
Rubiales, who stepped down as head of the Spanish Football Federation in September last year, insists the kiss he planted on Hermoso's lips was consensual and that he had sought her permission. But Hermoso refused her permission, saying the incident left her feeling “vulnerable and a victim of aggression.” The 33-year-old striker has filed a criminal complaint against Rubiales and prosecutors have accused him of sexual assault and coercion for allegedly pressuring her to speak out in his defense after his actions sparked a global controversy.
Hermoso arrived at the Madrid court shortly before 10 a.m. on Tuesday to give her statement to Judge Francisco de Jorge. She spoke briefly to the media after the closed-door hearing, wishing them a happy new year and adding: “It went well. Now everything is in the hands of justice.”
The footballer, who has just signed for Mexican club Tigres, rejected any claims that the kiss was consensual, describing Rubiales' claim that she gave him permission to kiss him as “categorically false”. Hermoso said she decided to speak out about what happened because “no one, whether in the workplace, in sports or in social settings, should be a victim of this type of non-consensual behavior.”
She added: “I felt vulnerable and the victim of an aggression, an impulsive, sexist act, out of place and without my consent. “Simply put: I was disrespected.”
Hermoso also said the incident and its aftermath took a huge toll on her. “These weeks have been very difficult,” she said in an interview with GQSpain last year. I had to face the consequences of an action that I did not provoke, that I did not choose or intentionally choose. I received threats and you never get used to that.”
Rubiales, who faces a fine or up to four years in prison if convicted of sexual assault, has denied assaulting or coercing Hermoso and vowed to clear his name. “I believe in the truth and will do everything in my power to ensure it prevails,” he said when he stepped down as head of the association four months ago.
The 46-year-old former player said that while his family and those close to him had suffered “the effects of excessive persecution” and “a lot of lies”, he felt the public knew the truth.
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