Jenni Hermoso Testifies in Court Against Luis Rubiales in Kissing Scandal: A Brave Stand for Consent

Barcelona Femeni icon Jenni Hermoso took the stand on January 2, 2024, to testify against former Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales regarding the controversial kissing scandal that unfolded after the women’s World Cup final in August 2023.

Hermoso recounted her experience to the prosecutor, describing how Rubiales forcefully kissed her on the lips without her consent as she approached the podium to receive her gold medal.

“After stepping on the podium, the next thing was his hands on my head, and then I didn’t hear anything else. I saw myself with the kiss on the mouth, and I immediately went down to the stage with my teammates,” Hermoso shared, as reported by Diario Sport.

Expressing her disbelief, Hermoso stated, “I didn’t even expect it. At no time did I expect something like that to happen, not from a trusted person. I didn’t think he or anyone would use that moment to do something like that, no matter how spontaneous it was.”

In contrast, Rubiales claimed he had asked Hermoso for permission before planting the kiss on her lips. “Yes, I asked her before I did it, how can I not respect her?” Rubiales asserted to the prosecutor.

Rubiales insisted that Hermoso laughed heartily after the incident, playfully slapping him twice on his side before leaving. However, the fallout from the incident cost Rubiales his position in FIFA, leading to a ban by football’s governing body. Subsequently, the 46-year-old was compelled to resign as Spanish FA president amidst intense media pressure.