In a court session addressing the alleged kiss by former football chief Luis Rubiales, teammates of Jenni Hermoso expressed their support and highlighted her emotional distress resulting from the incident. Rubiales faces charges of sexual assault and coercion, denying any wrongdoing.
Testimonies from Teammates Reveal Emotional Fallout of World Cup Incident
Testimonies from Teammates Reveal Emotional Fallout of World Cup Incident
Players testify in court about Jenni Hermoso’s experiences following the alleged kiss by Luis Rubiales at the Women's World Cup.
In a significant court hearing in Madrid, teammates of Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso shared their experiences and observations about her emotional state after an incident involving former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales. Testimonies from prominent players, including Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes, and Laia Codina, underscored the psychological toll the kiss at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup medal ceremony took on Hermoso.
Putellas described Hermoso as being "overwhelmed" following the incident, revealing that Hermoso began crying from exhaustion during their flight back to Spain. Codina reflected on how the aftermath cast a shadow over what should have been a celebratory time, noting that Hermoso appeared "sad" and "not enjoying herself" during the team's celebratory trip to Ibiza.
During the court session, Hermoso reiterated her assertion that she never consented to the kiss and expressed feelings of disrespect, emphasizing that the act was unwarranted. Initially perceived by some, including Putellas, as a misunderstanding, Hermoso later clarified that her feelings were much deeper, showcasing her disbelief that Rubiales thought he had the right to kiss her.
Paredes recounted how she intervened on the team bus by requesting her teammates avoid making light of the incident, calling it a "serious" matter. The court also examined the actions of Rubiales’ colleagues, who are on trial for allegedly collaborating in coercive behavior.
In light of the testimonies, prosecutors are advocating for a prison sentence for Rubiales, outlined as a one-year penalty for sexual assault and an additional year-and-a-half for coercion, a charge relating to claims of attempting to pressure Hermoso into recanting her stance on the kiss. Rubiales continues to deny all allegations against him as the trial progresses, which has drawn significant public and media attention, reflecting a broader discussion on consent and respect within sports culture.
