Spanish star Hermoso testifies about World Cup kiss

MADRID — Spanish World Cup-winning star Jennifer Hermoso told a judge on Tuesday that the kiss forced on her by disgraced former Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales was "at no point consensual" and that she had come under pressure to defend his actions.

Arriving at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid just before 10 am local time, the 33-year-old went to testify before Judge Francisco de Jorge, who is investigating Rubiales on allegations of sexual assault and coercion.

"Now everything is in the hands of the justice system and that's all I can say," she told reporters on leaving court several hours later.

A judicial source told AFP that she had "ratified the statement made at the public prosecutor's office that the kiss was completely unexpected and at no point was it consensual".

During the incident on Aug 20, the then head of Spain's RFEF soccer federation held her head in both hands and forcibly kissed her on the lips after Spain won the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia.

He has said the act was "a consensual peck" but Hermoso has insisted it was not.

She filed a lawsuit against him in September and told the judge she had come under pressure to defend Rubiales, both on the flight back from Australia and on a subsequent team holiday to Ibiza in the Balearic Islands.

"After the event, the situation experienced by the victim, both on the flight back to Spain and during her stay in Ibiza was one of constant harassment by the parties under investigation, which disrupted her normal life, causing her anxiety and distress," the source said, quoting Hermoso's testimony.

The testimony was behind close doors and the court did not release any details about her statements. Spanish media said Hermoso asked the judge to keep her court appearance as private as possible. She arrived wearing a gray coat and waved to journalists before entering the court through one of its main entrances along with her lawyers.

The judge is also hearing testimony from other World Cup-winning players, coaches and federation officials, before deciding whether to start a trial.

Among those being investigated for allegedly trying to pressure Hermoso was former Spain women's national team coach Jorge Vilda and other former federation officials.

Up to 4 years prison

Under Spanish law, a nonconsensual kiss can be considered sexual assault — a criminal category that groups all types of sexual violence.

Penalties for such a kiss range from a fine to four years in prison.

The 46-year-old Rubiales, who is subject to a restraining order banning him from being within 200 meters of Hermoso, is also accused of "coercion" for allegedly pressuring her to justify his actions, which were broadcast live around the world.

The kiss provoked widespread outrage and prompted his suspension by world soccer governing body FIFA.

Rubiales appeared in court on Sept 15.

In October, the judge quizzed three others over allegations they also pressured Hermoso — former coach Vilda, men's team director Albert Luque and RFEF marketing boss Ruben Rivera.

Numerous other witnesses have testified in court over the pressure faced by Hermoso, among them two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and two other Spanish teammates.

Rubiales previously denied wrongdoing to the judge who imposed a restraining order on him not to contact Hermoso.

The 33-year-old Hermoso, the record scorer for Spain's women's team, said last year she received threats in the fallout from the kiss, though she did not elaborate.

Hermoso became somewhat of a celebrity in Spain after coming forward to denounce the kiss and help promote a "Me Too" movement in the country. She was one of the New Year's Eve presenters on public television on Saturday, calling for a 2024 with more equality. Hermoso announced this week that she will play for Mexican club Tigres after a stint with Pachuca.

The boycott of the national team ended last year after players were given guarantees of change within the federation following the intervention of government officials.

FIFA banned Rubiales for three years until after the men's 2026 World Cup. His ban will expire before the next women's tournament in 2027.

He resigned as the federation president and as a UEFA vice-president on Sept 10 amid mounting pressure in Spain from lawmakers and players. One day later, UEFA thanked Rubiales for his service.

Agencies