Former Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales reiterated earlier than a choose on Tuesday that ahead Jenni Hermoso gave him consent for a kiss on the 2023 Ladies’s World Cup remaining presentation ceremony.
Rubiales is accused of sexual assault and coercion for allegedly making an attempt to downplay the kiss, which sparked outrage in Spain, and marred the celebrations of the staff’s first World Cup title.
“I requested her if I may give her a bit kiss and she or he stated OK,” Rubiales stated. “I am completely certain [she gave consent].”
Hermoso stated on the primary day of the trial final week that she didn’t consent.
The three different defendants have been anticipated to testify on Tuesday – former girls’s nationwide staff coach Jorge Vilda, the federation’s former sports activities director of the lads’s nationwide staff, Albert Luque, and the previous head of promoting, Ruben Rivera. They’re all accused of coercion.
An skilled on lip studying additionally testified on Tuesday, saying that Rubiales requested Hermoso, “Can I offer you a bit kiss?”
Movies have been proven with Hermoso celebrating and later speaking in regards to the kiss.
“No one anticipated it, however I do not care, we’re world champions, that is what issues,” Hermoso stated in audio information reproduced in court docket from an interview she gave shortly after the ultimate.
“I did not prefer it, however all I can say is that it was a part of the second, it will not turn into something greater than that, it’ll go down as an anecdote.
“Whoever needs to make a giant deal about it’ll do it, and people who do not, will not,” she stated after the reporter advised her that there was a variety of speak in regards to the kiss again in Spain. “I am very certain that it will not turn into a giant deal, we’re the champions.”
There was additionally a video of Rubiales telling the squad that he was “unhappy” with the repercussions of the kiss. He apologised and stated that he “felt unhealthy” it marred the celebrations. Hermoso was seen within the video laughing after his phrases.
The defence additionally tried to discredit the earlier testimony of Hermoso’s brother, who stated Vilda pressured Hermoso into recording a video with Rubiales to downplay the scenario.
The defence confirmed an interview with Hermoso’s brother himself downplaying the kiss. He had stated in his personal testimony that he downplayed the kiss on the time to verify the main target was on the celebrations.
Rubiales resigned below strain three weeks after the scandal surfaced and was banned by FIFA for 3 years. He had stated he was the sufferer of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists”.
Hermoso testified that she “felt disrespected” by Rubiales after successful the World Cup. She stated that the kiss “stained one of many happiest days of my life”.
The kiss prompted outrage in Spain in regards to the prevalence of sexism in sports activities and past.
Prosecutors, Hermoso and the Spain gamers’ affiliation need Rubiales jailed for two-and-a-half years, fined €50,000 (£41,700) for damages, and banned from working as a sports activities official. They need the opposite three defendants sentenced to one-and-a-half years in jail.
