Spain's Ex-Soccer President Luis Rubiales on Trial for Sexual Assault Over Jenni Hermoso Kiss at World Cup Final

Mar. 15, 2025

Luis Rubiales; Jennifer Hermoso.Photo:Jesus Hellin/Europa Press via Getty; Angel Martinez - UEFA/UEFA via Getty

Jesus Hellin/Europa Press via Getty; Angel Martinez - UEFA/UEFA via Getty

The former president of Spanish soccer,Luis Rubiales, is on trial for alleged sexual assault overkissingplayerJenni Hermosoat 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 toReuters,BBC Newsand Spanish outletABC.

“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 unsolicitedkiss with the midfielderfollowing the Spanish women’s team’s World Cup win on Aug. 20, 2023. Helater announced his resignationas president of the federation on Sept. 10.

Luis Rubiales pictured in court in Madrid on Feb. 3.CHEMA MOYA/POOL/AFP via Getty

CHEMA MOYA/POOL/AFP via Getty

Three colleagues of Rubiales are also on trial for alleged coercion — Rubén Rivera, former head of marketing for the federation, Spain’s team coach Jorge Vilda and former sporting director, Albert Luque.

Hermoso said of the incident in court on Monday, “I felt that it was completely out of context. I already knew that my boss was kissing me and this should not happen in any social or work environment,” per ABC.

She reportedly claimed that she told a couple of her colleagues straight after and that Rubiales called her afterward after hearing buzz on social media about the kiss, saying that “it was getting complicated [and] that we could stop this now.”

Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 World Cup Final after Spain’s victory.Richard Callis / SPP/Sipa USA via AP

Richard Callis / SPP/Sipa USA via AP

Prosecutors are asking for Rubiales to be handed a one-year prison sentence over his charges, which he denies, along with a year-and-a-half sentence for coercion for allegedly pressurizing Hermoso to say publicly that the kiss wasconsensual, according to BBC News.

She also shared that she had paid for “intensified” psychological assistance over the incident in Mexico, where she plays with her soccer club.

Jenni Hermoso heads to court in Madrid on Feb. 3.THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty

THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty

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The start of the trial comes after Hermoso was dropped fromSpain’s women’s national teamroster in September 2023 for matches against Spain and Switzerland, weeks after the incident, according Reuters. At the time, new coach Montse Tomé said leaving her out of the team was the “best way to protect her,” perUSA TODAY.

Hermoso returned to the team in October 2023. That same month,FIFA announced a three-year banfrom the sport for Rubiales.

source: people.com