Rubiales' defence team asks for his acquittal, Hermoso's lawyer reiterates sexual assault claim

Luis Rubiales' defence team reiterated in closing arguments on Thursday in Madrid that Jenni Hermoso consented to the World Cup kiss by the ex-Spanish federation boss, and said that even if the player hadn't agreed the act should not be characterized as sexual assault.

Hermoso's lawyer repeated it was not consensual and she was pressured into downplaying the situation.

More closing arguments are expected on Friday. The verdict and sentencing could come as early as next week.

Rubiales is on trial for sexual assault for the kiss on Hermoso's lips in the presentation ceremony at the 2023 Women's World Cup final. He and three other former federation officials are also accused of coercion for trying to convince Hermoso to downplay the kiss that sparked outrage in Spain and marred the celebrations of the team's first World Cup title.

Rubiales' defence team called for his acquittal on both charges.

"There was no sexual intent by Rubiales," defence lawyer Olga Tubau said. "After everything that has been shown, he should be acquitted. If you consider that the accusation's hypothesis is reasonable, I believe that the objections to the accusation's reasoning are also reasonable. I think there are objective doubts that need to be taken into consideration."

Hermoso's lawyer brought attention to all the evidence that he felt implicated Rubiales.

"We can see the images of the sexual assault," lawyer Angel Chavarria said. "There is no margin for reaction. Hermoso never heard him ask for a kiss. She did not agree to it."

Accusers have said an unsolicited kiss should be considered sexual assault, according to the law, but the defence team used jurisprudence to show the context in which the act happened should be carefully analyzed as