Trial of Spain's ex-football chief over forced kiss ends

The trial of Spain's former football chief Luis Rubiales over the forced kiss he gave star forward Jenni Hermoso has wrapped up, with a verdict expected in several weeks.

Mr Rubiales is accused of sexual assault for kissing Hermoso in 2023 following Spain's triumph at the women's World Cup in Australia, as well as coercion for allegedly trying to convince the player to downplay the incident afterwards.

The outcry over the kiss forced Mr Rubiales to resign from his position as president of the Spanish soccer federation.

Ms Hermoso, 34, says she did not consent to the kiss while Rubiales, 47, denies wrongdoing and argues it was consensual.

"With this, believe it or not, we are done," judge Jose Manuel Fernandez-Prieto told the court in San Fernando de Henares near Madrid after Rubiales and the three other accused declined their right to make a final statement.

Prosecutors are seeking two-and-a-half years in prison for Mr Rubiales, one year for sexual assault and 18 months for the coercion of Ms Hermoso.

Among the accused alongside Mr Rubiales are ex-women's national team coach Jorge Vilda and two former federation officials.

They also stand accused of trying to coerce Ms Hermoso with prosecutors seeking 18 months' jail for them.

Video footage of the controversy that rocked Spanish football shows Mr Rubiales clasping Ms Hermoso's head at the World Cup medal ceremony and kissing her on the lips before letting her go with two slaps on the back.

Ms Hermoso told the opening day of the trial she felt "disrespected" after a non-consensual kiss that "should not happen in any social or work setting".

Mr Rubiales told the court on Tuesday that he was "totally sure" Ms Hermoso consented to the kiss which was broadcast live around the world,