Luis Rubiales, accused of kissing Spain's Jenny Hermoso during the World Cup, appears in court in Madrid

Luis Rubiales, accused of kissing Spain's Jenny Hermoso during the World Cup, appears in court in Madrid

Luis Rubiales, the former president of Spain's Football Federation, has appeared in court in Madrid to explain the incident in which he is accused of kissing footballer Jenny Hermoso after Spain's victory in the 2023 World Cup. Rubiales stated that Hermoso had given him permission for the kiss.

In his statement on Tuesday in Madrid's National Court, Rubiales said, "I am completely sure she gave me permission." He further explained, "It was a completely spontaneous event."

Rubiales, 47, is facing charges of sexual harassment and coercion for kissing Hermoso on the lips and later attempting to pressure her into publicly claiming that the kiss was consensual at the World Cup award ceremony.

He said, "She hugged me very tightly around my shoulders, lifted me up, and then I asked her, 'Can I kiss you?' and she said 'okay,' that's what happened."

He also stated, "It didn't mean anything for either of us." He described the kiss as "an expression of love."

Based on the allegations, prosecutors are demanding a prison sentence of two years and six months for Rubiales, as he allegedly pressured Hermoso into claiming the kiss was consensual. Rubiales has denied the charges of coercion. In addition, former women's football coach Jorge Vilda and two former federation officials face similar accusations.

On the first day of the trial, on February 3, Hermoso testified that the kiss was not consensual and made her feel "humiliated," especially after she had just helped Spain win the World Cup.