Former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales told a court on Tuesday that Jenni Hermoso gave him consent to kiss her in the aftermath of Spain's Women’s World Cup win in 2023.
Rubiales is accused of sexual assault for kissing the striker on the lips during the on-pitch celebrations in 2023, and then attempting to coerce Hermoso - with the help of three other men - into declaring that the kiss had been consensual. He has denied the charges, insisting the kiss was consensual, while Hermoso has said it was not.
Hermoso took the stand at Madrid’s High Court last week and said that she did not agree to the kiss that triggered a national backlash against sexism in sport.
“I knew I was being kissed by my boss and that should not happen in any social or work environment,” she said of the encounter seen live by millions around the world at the 2023 World Cup awards ceremony in Australia.
“I think it was a moment that tainted one of the happiest days of my life.”
Speaking on Tuesday, Rubiales said: “I am absolutely sure that she gave me her permission In that moment it was something completely spontaneous."
The ensuing scandal eclipsed Spain's first women's World Cup victory and proved a tipping point for efforts by Spain's female players to expose sexism and achieve parity with male counterparts.
The scandal sparked a strike by Hermoso's teammates and saw several heads roll at the federation, with both Rubiales and his right-hand man and successor being ousted and a woman appointed to coach the women's team for the first time.
The trial will see several of Hermoso's teammates, including Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, testify. Rubiales has asked his daughters to take the stand.
Additional reporting by Reuters.
