Rubiales 'absolutely sure' that Hermoso said he could kiss her

Luis Rubiales, the disgraced former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), reaffirmed before a judge in Madrid on Tuesday that the footballer Jenni Hermoso consented to the kiss he gave her during the 2023 Women’s World Cup final presentation ceremony in Sydney.

Rubiales is facing charges of sexual assault and coercion, accused of attempting to downplay the kiss that sparked widespread outrage in Spain and overshadowed the celebrations of the team’s historic World Cup victory. ALSO READ: Rubiales denies any wrongdoing, but is banned from going within 200 metres of Hermoso.

‘I asked her if I could give her a little kiss, and she said OK,’ Rubiales stated in court. ‘I am absolutely sure [she gave consent].’

However, Hermoso testified on the opening day of the trial last week that she did not consent. ALSO READ: Hermoso: unsolicited kiss from Rubiales ‘stained one of the happiest days of my life’.

Rubiales admitted that the kiss was inappropriate, acknowledging that he acted more like a former player than as the head of the federation.

‘Hermoso knows that I asked her, and she responded to me,’ he said. ‘I apologised for my behaviour because it was not adequate. Being in that position I should have had cold blood and not let myself be taken away by emotions. Surely I should have behaved more in an institutional plan.’

He also claimed that Hermoso was encouraged to downplay the kiss because the RFEF was facing an institutional crisis, insisting that it was normal for officials to try to defuse the situation. However, he denied pressuring anyone to influence Hermoso’s stance.

According to Rubiales, Hermoso initially did not consider the kiss a significant issue. He stated that when she declined to record a video with him addressing the matter, they respected her decision and instead released a statement with her remarks to local media at the time.

Hermoso and her teammates provided a different account during their testimonies, asserting that the player was deeply affected by the kiss and was pressured to minimise its significance.

On Tuesday, a lip-reading expert also testified that Rubiales had asked Hermoso, ‘Can I give you a little kiss?’ before the incident.

The court also reviewed videos of Hermoso celebrating and later discussing the kiss.

‘Nobody expected it, but I don’t care, we are world champions, that’s what matters,’ Hermoso said in an interview recorded shortly after the final. ‘I didn’t like it, but all I can say is that it was part of the moment. It won’t become anything more than that; it will just be an anecdote.’

When the reporter mentioned that the kiss had caused a stir in Spain, Hermoso responded, ‘Whoever wants to make a big deal about it will do it, and those who don’t, won’t.’ She then added: ‘I’m certain it won’t turn into something bigger. We are the champions.’

Another video presented in court showed Rubiales addressing the squad, expressing his sadness over the controversy and apologising, saying he regretted that it had overshadowed their victory. Hermoso could be seen laughing normally after he had spoken.

The defence also attempted to challenge the testimony of Hermoso’s brother, who had previously claimed that women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda pressured her into recording a video with Rubiales to play down the incident.

To counter his statement, the defence presented an earlier interview in which Hermoso’s brother himself had minimised the kiss. During his own testimony, he explained that he had initially downplayed the matter to ensure the focus remained on the team’s celebrations.

🔴 Rubiales asegura que le preguntó a la jugadora que si “se daban un besito” y que ella le dijo que sí

▪️El expresidente de la RFEF le resta trascendencia al beso, aunque reconoce que no obró bien: “Me he equivocado, debería haber tenido sangre más fría”

🎙️ @gema_alfaro pic.twitter.com/wNEeMQx9ST

— Radio 5 (@radio5_rne) February 11, 2025

LIVE: Former Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales stands trial for kissing player Jenni Hermoso https://t.co/sXVM2RBFtm

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 11, 2025