Accused: Luis Rubiales, here next to his lawyer Olga Tubau. © APA/afp / CHEMA MOYA

Moving start of trial of kissing scandal in Spain

Luis Rubiales watched the shocking statements at the start of the trial in the Spanish kissing scandal from the dock with a stony expression.

03. February 2025

From: dpa

Even when soccer world champion Jennifer Hermoso said that the involuntary kiss after the final of the 2023 Women's World Cup had caused her "disgust and revulsion" and "overshadowed one of the happiest days of my life," there was no reaction from the former Spanish association boss, reporters on the scene reported.

The alleged victim, world champion Jennifer Hermoso, confirmed before the State Court in Madrid on Monday not only that she had been kissed on the mouth by Rubiales against her will at the award ceremony in Sydney. She also complained of a real gauntlet, including death threats, in the days and weeks after her team's final victory over England (1-0).

Rubiales faces several years in prison

The main defendant, Rubiales, is accused of sexual aggression and coercion. The 47-year-old ex-professional faces a prison sentence of several years. Three other former association employees are also accused of coercion. Rubiales has always maintained his innocence and says the kiss was consensual.

Jennifer Hermoso testified on Monday. © APA/afp / THOMAS COEX

Hermoso answered questions from both the prosecution and the defense with confidence and a firm voice. She said that in the days following the World Cup, she was pressured by Rubiales and then-federation officials to downplay the matter and not accuse Rubiales.

But what shocked me most were Hermoso's words about the long suffering she had to endure because of the scandal. "There were cameras outside my house 34 hours a day, people followed me on the street and took photos of me, for a while I was afraid to go out on the street," said the XNUMX-year-old striker, who currently plays for Tigres Feminil in Mexico. She also received death threats and at some point decided to "leave Madrid with the whole family."

Kuss quickly pushed World Cup victory into the background

The scandal overshadowed the Spanish women's World Cup triumph in August 2023. In the wake of the affair, Rubiales resigned as head of the national association RFEF shortly afterwards. He was subsequently banned for three years by the world association FIFA, among others. Rubiales has repeatedly denied all allegations and up until the very end. He and the other defendants are due to be heard from February 12th. The oral hearing will run until February 19th. The verdict is not expected to be announced for a few days or weeks.

Also charged: Jorge Vilda, former national coach of Spain. © APA/afp / THOMAS COEX

Alongside Rubiales, former women's national coach Jorge Vilda, former RFEF sports director Albert Luque and the association's former marketing director Rubén Rivera took their place in the dock in the Madrid suburb of San Fernando de Henares. The public prosecutor is demanding two and a half years for Rubiales. He is also to compensate the victim with 50.000 euros. One and a half years in prison is being demanded for each of the three co-defendants. Prison sentences of up to two years are usually suspended in Spain, however.