Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spanish soccer, took the stand in a Madrid courtroom on Tuesday to address allegations of sexual assault stemming from his kiss of player Jennifer Hermoso during the medal ceremony celebrating Spain's 2023 Women’s World Cup victory. Rubiales stated that the kiss was merely a display of affection following a moment of "extraordinary joy" and that he believed it was an appropriate expression of celebration.
Refuting the charges against him, which include coercion, Rubiales emphasized his view of the trophy celebration as joyful and recalled similar celebratory gestures with other players in the past. “You don’t win a World Cup every day,” he remarked, reflecting on the significance of the event. He further claimed to have sought permission before the kiss, asserting that he asked Hermoso, “Can I give you a little kiss?” to which he believes she responded affirmatively.
Contradicting Rubiales' account, Hermoso later described her response to the kiss as instinctual and immediate—she felt violated and noted her awareness that the act was not normal, especially given the hierarchical nature of their relationship. “My boss was kissing me,” she testified, signifying the gravity of the situation and the implications of power dynamics in sports.
The incident ignited widespread discourse around issues of sexism and accountability within Spanish soccer, forcing institutions to confront longstanding cultural norms of machismo and driving movements advocating for gender equality in the sport. As the trial continues, the outcome will undoubtedly shape the future dialogue on consent and appropriate conduct in athletic environments.
