Jenni Hermoso, who won the Women's World Cup with Spain in 2023, described the unwanted kiss from former football federation boss Luis Rubiales as an act of disrespect that 'ruined one of the happiest days of my life.' She also detailed attempts by Rubiales and the RFEF to pressure her into portraying the kiss as consensual.
Jenni Hermoso, star player of Spain's victorious 2023 Women's World Cup team, took the stand in the trial of former football federation boss Luis Rubiales on Monday, describing the unwanted kiss that sparked a national 'Me Too' moment as an act that 'ruined one of the happiest days of my life.' Hermoso, who won the Women's World Cup with Spain in 2023, detailed her experience during the awards ceremony following the final, where Rubiales grabbed her head and kissed her on the lips.
She stated that she felt 'disrespected' and 'unable to react' to the unsolicited advance. Hermoso further revealed that after the incident, Rubiales and members of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) attempted to pressure her into portraying the kiss as consensual, even drafting a statement to be released to the media. She refused to cooperate, stating that she felt 'fed up' and 'uncomfortable' with their attempts to control the narrative. Hermoso also testified about the intense media scrutiny and harassment she faced following the incident, leading her to flee her home in Madrid with her family due to death threats and relentless attention. She described feeling 'afraid to go out into the street' and living under constant surveillance. Rubiales and his co-defendants, including former women's national team coach Jorge Vilda, former RFEF sporting director Albert Luque, and the RFEF's former head of marketing Ruben Rivera, will present their defense later in the trial.The prosecution is seeking a sentence of 2½ years in prison for Rubiales. However, in Spain, those convicted of crimes under two years can often avoid incarceration by paying damages if they have no prior convictions. The scandal surrounding the kiss has had a profound impact on Spanish football, leading to a strike by Hermoso's teammates and the resignation of several high-ranking officials within the RFEF. It has also served as a catalyst for wider conversations about sexism and inequality in the sport
News JENNI HERMOSA LUIS RUBIALES SPAIN FOOTBALL FEDERATION WOMEN's WORLD CUP SEXISM 'ME TOO' TRIAL
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