In Madrid, Spain, on Feb 3 (Reuters), Spanish women's World Cup champion Jenni Hermoso confronted the former soccer federation chief during his trial. She expressed her disagreement over an incident that sparked a national outcry against sexism in sports.
During her testimony at Madrid's High Court, Hermoso recalled the event that occurred at the 2023 World Cup awards ceremony in Australia. She stated, I knew I was being kissed by my boss, and that should not happen in any social or work setting. She also mentioned feeling that the incident had tainted one of the happiest days of her life.
The former federation boss, 47-year-old Rubiales, faces allegations of sexual assault and coercion. Despite offering apologies for his behavior during a moment of national celebration, he denies the criminal charges, portraying himself as a victim of a smear campaign.
Hermoso firmly denied consenting to the kiss when questioned by a prosecutor in court, stating, Never." She described the encounter, saying, "I didn't hear or understand anything. The next thing he did was to grab me by the ears and kiss me on the mouth.
In the aftermath, Hermoso felt pressured to sign a statement absolving Rubiales but refused to do so, asserting that she perceived herself as a victim of aggression. The fallout from the incident served as a turning point for gender equality efforts in Spanish women's soccer, overshadowing recent progress.
The ongoing trial will feature testimonies from Hermoso's teammates, including Ballon d'Or recipient Alexia Putellas. Rubiales has called for his daughters to testify as well. The prosecution is seeking a 2-1/2 year prison sentence for Rubiales, with the option to avoid incarceration through financial compensation if he meets certain conditions. The scandal led to protests by Hermoso's teammates and significant changes within the federation, including the appointment of a female coach for the women's team.