Spanish player Jenny Hermoso has told a court that her kiss with former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales in the Women’s World Cup final was not consensual and that she felt pressured to go public with the matter.
The footballer testified Tuesday before a judge investigating the case of Luis Rubiales, who was suspended by FIFA for the crime of sexual assault and another offense of coercion in connection with what happened after the national team won the World Cup on August 20. The hearing lasted about three hours.
“Everything went well. I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year. Everything is in the hands of justice. Thank you so much for the support you have given me and for handling the issues with so many of you so well. Thank you very much,” Hermoso said, as quoted by the sports newspaper. Brand.
According to judicial sources cited by the Spanish newspaper, Jenny Hermoso said the kiss “was unexpected and under no circumstances was it consensual.” After the scandal began to be investigated, the football player said that she had become the target of harassment.
Spain won the Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 victory over England in the final in Sydney, Australia, at the end of August. But, contrary to expectations, the day of celebration ended in a dispute between the president of the Spanish Football Federation and one of the national team players. During the celebration, Luis Rubiales kissed forward Jennifer Hermoso on the lips.
For Rubiales, the kiss was “consensual” and “spontaneous”, but the player herself denies this version of events and has the support of her teammates.
An image of Rubiales kissing Hermoso went viral around the world on social media and the scandal caused an uproar in the Spanish Football Federation.