The trial of former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales began today in Madrid, centering on the controversial kiss he gave to player Jennifer Hermoso following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup in August 2023, CNN reports.
Rubiales faces charges of sexual assault and coercion in connection with the incident.
Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales. The trial, expected to last until February 19th, has drawn significant public attention due to its implications for gender dynamics in sports and wider society.
Jennifer Hermoso, the player at the center of the controversy, testified on Monday, recounting her experience of the unwanted kiss that occurred during the medal presentation ceremony. Rubiales is scheduled to provide his testimony on February 12th.
The kiss, captured on camera and rapidly shared on social media, ignited widespread outrage and debate. The footage shows Rubiales embracing Hermoso and then kissing her on the lips without her apparent consent.
The incident triggered protests in various Spanish cities, with demonstrators decrying the incident as an example of a culture of misogyny that persists in sports and Spanish society as a whole. The protests highlighted deep-seated concerns about power imbalances and sexual harassment.
Rubiales has maintained that the kiss was “mutual” and consensual, a claim that Hermoso has consistently refuted.
