Luis Rubiales, former head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), claimed during a court hearing that player Jennifer Hermoso allegedly consented to the kiss.
At the awards ceremony for the World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand on August 20, 2023, Rubiales embraced and kissed Hermoso. In September, the Spanish National Court launched a criminal case against Rubiales, who has since stepped down as president of the RFEF. FIFA suspended him from football activities for three years. The hearings in the case began on February 3 and are expected to last until February 19.
Jenni embraced me. I've known her for many years and I kissed her because she was a champion. This was a tremendous moment for her. We were champions, we were thanking each other. She pressed me very hard by the waist and then I asked her whether I could give her a kiss and she said yes.
Experts also testified at the hearing, with one confirming that the video of the incident was unedited, while another claimed to have read Rubiales' lips asking for a kiss. The footage does not show how the player responded to this request.
Earlier, La Liga had filed a complaint with the RFEF against Real Madrid for criticizing refereeing decisions.
