Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, faced a sexual assault trial this week, stemming from a controversial incident during the medal ceremony following Spain's triumph in the 2023 Women's World Cup. Rubiales firmly stated in court that the kiss he pressed on player Jennifer Hermoso was merely an affectionate gesture in a moment filled with joyous celebration. He characterized the kiss as a light peck and insisted he had sought Hermoso's permission beforehand.
“I asked her, ‘Can I give you a little kiss?’ and she said, ‘OK,’,” Rubiales claimed to the prosecutor during his testimony. Yet, Hermoso's response shortly after the kiss contrasted sharply with his account. The player firmly asserted, “At no time did I consent to the kiss that he gave me,” revealing the emotional turmoil it caused her in the aftermath.
“I couldn’t react — it was a thousandth of a second,” Hermoso explained, recalling her immediate perception that what transpired was unacceptable. “My boss was kissing me,” she pointed out, underscoring the power dynamics at play in the situation.
The fallout from the incident has sparked intense debate in Spain regarding issues of machismo and advancing gender equality within soccer and society at large. As Rubiales continues to deny wrongdoing, the case has become a critical focal point for discussions on respectful conduct in sports and the treatment of female athletes.
