Former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales testifies he asked for consent for World Cup kiss
Former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales said Tuesday that he asked Women’s World Cup winner Jennifer Hermoso for permission before kissing her during the on-field medal ceremony for Spain’s victory in 2023.
During testimony at his sexual assault trial in Madrid, Rubiales said he asked Hermoso if he could kiss her prior to the incident.
Hermoso has said that Rubiales did not have consent to kiss her. Rubiales is charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of coercion for the August 2023 kiss.
Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half year prison sentence for Rubiales.
On Tuesday, Rubiales said he got carried away in the moment. “It is not this common to win a World Cup… I made a mistake and put my foot in my mouth,” Rubiales told the court.
“I behaved like an athlete who achieves success,” Rubiales said, adding: “I should have acted cold-blooded and played a more institutional role.”
Hermoso, who spoke at the trial earlier this month, said that the kiss “tainted one of the happiest days of my life.”
“I knew I was being kissed by my boss and that should not happen in any social or work environment,” she said.
“Until today it seems that my life has been on standby, honestly I have not lived freely,” Hermoso said.
-CNN
