Hermoso testifies in sexual assault case against Rubiales،
Jenni Hermoso, the Spanish player kissed on the lips by the president of her country's soccer federation during the Women's World Cup final in August, appeared in court Tuesday to testify in the sexual assault case against the former manager.
Hermoso was in court in Madrid to give her version of Luis Rubiales' kiss after Spain beat England in the final in Sydney.
“Everything went well,” Hermoso told reporters afterward. “The legal process will continue, and thank you for the support that many of you have given me.”
The incident sparked outrage across the football world and triggered one of the worst crises in Spanish sporting history. It also led to the World Cup-winning players' boycott of the national team and Rubiales' eventual resignation despite his denial of wrongdoing and his allegation that the kiss was consensual.
Hermoso was expected to reiterate in court her allegations that the kiss was unwanted and Rubiales and her team tried to pressure her and her family to downplay the incident which tarnished Spain's first Cup title of the feminine world.
Testimony was expected behind closed doors, with Spanish media saying Hermoso had asked the judge to keep his court appearance as private as possible. She arrived wearing a gray coat and greeted journalists before entering the court through one of its main entrances with her lawyers.
Spanish prosecutors accused Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion, alleging he tried to convince Hermoso and his relatives to publicly downplay the kiss.
The judge also hears testimony from other World Cup-winning players, coaches and federation officials before deciding whether to open a trial.
Rubiales previously denied any wrongdoing to the judge who imposed a restraining order on him not to contact Hermoso.
Hermoso, 33, the Spanish women's team's top scorer, said last year that she had received threats following the kiss, but did not give further details.
Hermoso became something of a celebrity in Spain after denouncing the kiss and helping promote a “Me Too” movement in the country. She was one of the New Year's Eve presenters on public television on Saturday, calling for a more equal 2024.
The national team's boycott ended last year after players received guarantees of change within the federation following intervention by government officials.
Based on a sexual consent law passed last year, Rubiales could be fined or jailed for one to four years if convicted, according to the Madrid prosecutor's office . The new law eliminates the difference between “sexual harassment” and “sexual assault”, penalizing any non-consensual sexual act.
FIFA has banned Rubiales for three years until after the 2026 men's World Cup. Her ban will expire before the next women's tournament in 2027.
He resigned as federation president and UEFA vice-president on September 10, amid growing pressure in Spain from lawmakers and players. A day later, UEFA thanked Rubiales for his service.
Hermoso signed for Mexican champions Tigres Femenil on Monday after leaving rivals Pachuca.
