(TOP SPECTRE) – Teammates of Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso have testified in court, supporting her claim that she felt “overwhelmed” following an alleged forced kiss by former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales.
Teammates Speak Out in Court
In a Madrid courtroom on Thursday, Spanish football stars Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, and Alexia Putellas took the stand, reinforcing Hermoso’s assertion that she had not consented to the controversial kiss during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup medal ceremony in Australia.
Alexia Putellas told the court that Hermoso was visibly distressed after the incident, describing her as feeling “overwhelmed.” Codina added that Hermoso appeared “sad” and unable to enjoy the historic victory.
The Incident That Shook Women’s Football
The controversy erupted when Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips during the official medal presentation, igniting widespread outrage, protests, and demands for his resignation. While Rubiales has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, Hermoso testified earlier in the week, stating she never consented to the kiss and felt “disrespected as a woman.”
Putellas initially thought the incident was a “misunderstanding” until Hermoso showed her a video and expressed shock, questioning how Rubiales thought such an action was appropriate.
Tension on the Flight Back to Spain
The court also heard how, on the flight home from Australia, Hermoso was asked to speak with Rubiales, who allegedly pressured her to downplay the situation.
“She started crying from exhaustion,” Putellas recounted. According to testimony, Rubiales reportedly urged Hermoso to publicly deny that the kiss was non-consensual. “She was angry and told him she wasn’t going to lie because she had lived through it herself,” Putellas added.
Meanwhile, teammate Irene Paredes revealed that while the squad was traveling to the airport after their World Cup triumph, she told her teammates to stop making jokes about the incident, emphasizing that it was “serious.”
Hermoso’s distress reportedly continued during the team’s celebratory trip to Ibiza. Codina stated that despite what should have been the most joyful moment of her career, Hermoso was visibly “sad” and “not enjoying herself.”
Pressure and Alleged Coercion
In addition to Rubiales, three former Spanish football officials—ex-head coach Jorge Vilda, former marketing director Rubén Rivera, and former sporting director Albert Luque—are also on trial, accused of attempting to coerce Hermoso into retracting her statements. They have all denied the charges.
On Wednesday, the court heard that Vilda allegedly approached Hermoso’s brother, Rafael, during the flight back to Spain, warning him that Rubiales feared losing his position. Vilda reportedly urged Rafael to convince his sister to make a video statement minimizing the incident and suggested that refusing to comply could lead to “professional and personal consequences.”
Hermoso’s Emotional Testimony
In her court appearance on Monday, Hermoso detailed how Rubiales grabbed her by the head before kissing her on the mouth.
“I didn’t hear or understand anything at that moment,” she stated. “A kiss on the lips is something I decide to give, not something imposed on me.”
Hermoso also accused the Spanish Football Federation of abandoning her, claiming that instead of supporting her, they pressured her to align with Rubiales’ version of events.
Legal Consequences and Trial Progress
Prosecutors have called for a one-year prison sentence for Rubiales on sexual assault charges. They are also seeking an additional 18-month sentence for coercion, citing attempts to pressure Hermoso into publicly supporting him.
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Rubiales, who has maintained his innocence, continues to deny all allegations.
With the trial still unfolding, the case has become a landmark moment in the fight for women’s rights and respect in professional football.
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