Jenni Hermoso and Luis Rubiales appeared in court in Madrid on Monday, Feb. 3. Rubiales is on trial for alleged sexual assault over him kissing Hermoso on the lips at the 2023 World Cup Final, according to reports.
people.com
The former president of Spanish soccer,
Luis Rubiales, is on trial for alleged sexual assault over
kissing player
Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 World Cup Final.
During Rubiales' trial, which began in Madrid on Monday, Feb. 3, Spanish soccer star Hermoso, 34, said that she “never” consented to the 47-year-old kissing her on the lips at the tournament, according to
Reuters,
BBC News and Spanish outlet
ABC.
"I didn't hear or understand anything. The next thing he did was put his hands over my ears and he kissed me on the mouth," Hermoso said in court, per ABC.
Hermoso said she felt “disrespected” and claimed that "at no point was I able to react" during the kiss, adding that it was “a moment that stained one of the happiest days of my life," according to the outlet.
Rubiales, who is the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), is charged with sexual assault for his alleged unsolicited
kiss with the midfielder following the Spanish women's team’s World Cup win on Aug. 20, 2023. He
later announced his resignation as president of the federation on Sept. 10.