Jenni Hermoso testifies in Madrid court that Rubiales kiss was not consensual

The Spanish player who was kissed on the lips by the soccer president in the Women’s World Cup final appeared in court on Tuesday to testify in the sexual assault case against the former official. Jenni Hermoso was on the pitch in Madrid to kiss Luis Rubiales after Spain’s victory over England in the Sydney final in August.

“Everything went well,” Hermoso told reporters afterwards. “The legal process will continue, and I thank you for the support many of you have given me.”

The act generated indignation worldwide and precipitated one of the greatest crises in football history in Spain. This also led to a boycott of the national team by World Cup-winning players and the eventual resignation of Rubiales. However, he denied any wrongdoing and claimed the kiss was consensual, reports Football Scores Today.

Hermoso was expected to repeat in court her accusations that the kiss was unwanted. Rubiales and her aides pressured her and her family to downplay the incident, which wiped out Spain’s first Women’s World Cup title.

The testimony took place behind closed doors, and the court did not disclose details of his testimony. Spanish media said Hermoso had asked the judge to keep his court appearance as private as possible. She arrived in a grey coat and greeted reporters before entering the courtroom through one of the main entrances along with her lawyers.

Spanish prosecutors accused Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion, claiming he tried to persuade Hermoso and his relatives to downplay the kiss publicly. Before deciding whether to launch proceedings, the judge will hear statements from other World Cup-winning players, coaches, and association executives.