Rubiales says ‘totally sure’ Hermoso consented kiss

Former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales told his trial on Tuesday he was “totally sure” Jenni Hermoso consented to his kiss on her lips in 2023, which sparked global outrage.

Prosecutors are seeking two and a half years in prison against Rubiales for sexual assault for the forced kiss and allegedly coercing Hermoso to downplay the incident.

Hermoso told the trial’s opening day on February 3 she felt “disrespected” by a non-consensual kiss after she had just helped Spain win the 2023 women’s World Cup in Australia.

Rubiales told Spain’s National Court he was “totally sure.” Hermoso consented to the kiss during the medal ceremony after the final that ended with him resigning in disgrace later that year.

“She squeezed me very tightly under my armpits; she lifted me, and when I came down, I asked her if I can give you a kiss, and she said ‘OK’; that’s what happened,” he said.

“What happened had no importance, neither for me nor for her,” Rubiales added during his highly anticipated testimony, describing the kiss as “an act of affection”.

Rubiales also denies the charge of coercion levelled against him, former women’s team manager Jorge Vilda and two ex-federation officials.

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