In brief
During the ongoing trial of Luis Rubiales, testimonies from teammates of Jenni Hermoso describe her feelings of being overwhelmed following the alleged non-consensual kiss. The court hears from multiple players, including Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes, about the emotional distress Hermoso faced after the incident, igniting further concerns over the implications of the controversial kiss.
Teammates of Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso took the stand on Thursday in Madrid, providing emotional testimonies in support of her claims that she felt overwhelmed after being allegedly forcibly kissed by Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation. During the trial, which accuses Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion, fellow players Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, and Alexia Putellas displayed solidarity with Hermoso by recounting her distress following the incident.Rubiales kissed Hermoso during the medal ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia, a moment that led to widespread protests and demands for his resignation. Despite facing serious charges, Rubiales maintains his innocence. Hermoso had previously informed the court that she never consented to the kiss, emphasizing her feelings of disrespect.In a poignant testimony, Putellas revealed that Hermoso was "overwhelmed" after the kiss, expressing regret that the event, which should have been a celebratory moment, turned into a source of distress. Codina added that Hermoso appeared "sad" during the team’s celebratory trip to Ibiza, indicating that the event marred what was meant to be a peak experience in her career.Paredes recounted an incident while on the team's bus to the airport, where she urged her teammates to cease joking about the kiss, highlighting its serious nature. Moreover, as they journeyed back to Spain, Hermoso allegedly broke down in tears, feeling exhausted from the emotional strain.The court heard troubling details about Rubiales allegedly attempting to manipulate the situation by suggesting to Hermoso that she should publicly deny the absence of consent, which angered her. During the proceedings, her brother, Rafael Hermoso, testified that coach Jorge Vilda had warned him about possible repercussions if Hermoso did not comply with demands to downplay the incident.As the trial progresses, prosecutors are pursuing a one-year prison sentence for Rubiales on the sexual assault charge and an additional 18 months for coercion. Meanwhile, Rubiales' colleagues, including coach Vilda and other federation officials, face their own charges related to the alleged coercion of Hermoso. The trial continues, unraveling the layers of impact stemming from the controversial kiss that has drawn international attention.
