‘I felt disrespected’ Hermoso says after World Cup kiss from former Spain soccer boss

Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso has told a trial that that she did not consent to being kissed by the country’s former top football official after winning the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

On the first day of Luis Rubiales’ trial, Ms Hermoso also said she felt coerced to publicly exonerate the former president of Spain’s Football Federation after the incident in Sydney, Australia.

“I felt disrespected,” she said, adding that the incident “stained one of the happiest days of my life”.

When Rubiales kissed her at the Women’s World Cup final presentation ceremony, it sparked outrage in Spain about the prevalence of sexism in sports and beyond.

He denies the charges, claiming the kiss was consensual and happened in a “moment of jubilation”.

Facing immense pressure, he resigned three weeks after the incident and was banned by Fifa for three years.

Rubiales had said he was the victim of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists”.

Prosecutors, Ms Hermoso and the Spanish players’ association want a prison sentence of two and a half years for Rubiales, a payment of 50,000 euros (£41,000) for damages and for him to be banned from working as a sports official.

Asked if Rubiales had asked at any point if he could kiss her, Ms Hermoso said no.

“I didn’t hear or understand anything,” she said. “The next thing he did was to grab me by the ears and kiss me on the mouth.”

Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty, according to court officials.

“For me, it was important to be able to celebrate this moment,” she said.

The trial is expected to last at least 10 days. Among nearly 20 witnesses expected to give evidence are Spain men’s national coach Luis de la Fuente and some of Ms Hermoso’s teammates on the women’s team, including former world player of the year Alexia Putellas.

Rubiales is required to attend only the first and the last day, according to the court.

Also on trial are former Spain women’s national coach Jorge Vilda, former sports director of the men’s team Albert Luque, and the federation’s former head of marketing, Ruben Rivera.

They are accused of pressuring Ms Hermoso to defend Rubiales publicly in a statement after the incident, which she refused to do.

She said after the incident and ensuing controversy that her life was put on standby. She said she was able to escape the spotlight in Mexico, where she now plays.

The incident overshadowed Spain’s first Women’s World Cup triumph, triggering protests and widespread condemnation.

“I have not been able to really live freely,” she told the court.