Luis Rubiales tells court Jenni Hermoso consented to World Cup kiss

Luis Rubiales has informed a court that Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso gave her consent earlier than he kissed her on the Ladies’s World Cup closing in 2023.

The previous president of the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) is on trial accused of sexual assault and making an attempt to coerce Ms Hermoso into publicly saying the kiss had been consensual.

Giving proof, Mr Rubiales, 47, mentioned he was “completely positive” the participant gave permission for the kiss, including: “In that second it was one thing utterly spontaneous.”

The incident occurred through the medal-giving ceremony after Spain’s World Cup win in Australia, triggering protests and requires Mr Rubiales’s resignation. He denies any legal wrongdoing.

Mr Rubiales described the kiss as “an act of affection” to Spain’s Nationwide Court in Madrid on Tuesday.

“Jenni embraced me,” he mentioned.

“I’ve recognized her for a few years and I kissed her as a result of she was a champion. This was an amazing second for her. We have been champions, we have been thanking one another.

“She pressed me very laborious by the waist after which I requested her whether or not I might give her a kiss and she or he mentioned sure.”

He added: “I took maintain of her in order not to fall again.”

Mr Rubiales was questioned in court over whether or not he requested Ms Hermoso for a kiss or a “little kiss”.

“I can not bear in mind precisely,” he replied. “However I feel it was just a little kiss.”

He was additionally requested if he was conscious of the protocol in opposition to sexual harassment and sexual violence, to which he replied he was conscious of it.

Ms Hermoso has beforehand informed the court she had by no means given permission to be kissed and the incident had “stained one of many happiest days of my life”.

The Spain ahead mentioned: “My boss was kissing me, and this should not occur in any social or work setting.”

She added: “A kiss on the lips is barely given once I determine so.”

Ms Hermoso mentioned she was pulled apart quickly after the kiss and requested to consent to a press release minimising the incident, which she refused to do.

Mr Rubiales then requested her to report a video with him on the flight residence as a result of he was being accused of assault on social media, she informed the court. She mentioned she had acquired dying threats which prompted her to transfer her household to Mexico, the place she now performs.

An knowledgeable in lip studying informed the court on Tuesday that Mr Rubiales requested Ms Hermoso “can I provide you with a kiss?” primarily based on video footage the place the participant’s face couldn’t be seen.

Mr Rubiales conceded he “made a mistake” on the rostrum and that his behaviour “was not acceptable”, saying he ought to have “been in a extra institutional position”, however denied any offence had been dedicated.

He mentioned the media consideration the incident has attracted was “ridiculous”, including that Ms Hermoso by no means reproached him over the kiss at any level within the rapid aftermath of the incident.

Mr Rubiales resigned in September 2023 after FIFA suspended him and Spanish prosecutors opened an investigation.

Three of his former colleagues are additionally on trial accused of colluding within the alleged coercion: Jorge Vilda, coach of the World Cup-winning facet, Rubén Rivera, the federation’s former head of selling, and former sporting director, Albert Luque.

All 4 defendants deny the costs in opposition to them.

Prosecutors are looking for a two-and-half 12 months jail time period for Rubiales. The trial, which runs till 19 February, continues.