Luis Rubiales has instructed a courtroom that Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso gave her consent earlier than he kissed her after the Girls’s World Cup ultimate in 2023.
The previous president of the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) is on trial accused of sexual assault and making an attempt to coerce Ms Hermoso into publicly saying the kiss had been consensual.
Mr Rubiales instructed Spain’s Nationwide Courtroom in Madrid he was “completely certain” the participant gave permission for the kiss, including: “In that second it was one thing utterly spontaneous.”
The incident occurred throughout the medal ceremony after Spain’s World Cup victory in Australia, triggering protests and requires Mr Rubiales’s resignation. He denies any prison wrongdoing.
Giving proof, Mr Rubiales described the kiss as “an act of affection”.
“This was an incredible second for her,” he stated. “We had been thanking one another, she pressed me very exhausting across the waist after which I requested her whether or not I may give her a kiss and he or she stated sure.”
He added: “I took maintain of her in order to not fall again.”
Mr Rubiales was questioned in courtroom over whether or not he requested Ms Hermoso for a kiss or a “little kiss”.
“I can not keep in mind precisely,” he replied. “However I believe it was a bit kiss.”
He was additionally requested if he was conscious of the protocol in opposition to sexual harassment and sexual violence, to which he replied he was conscious of it.
Ms Hermoso has beforehand instructed the courtroom she had by no means given permission to be kissed and the incident had “stained one of many happiest days of my life”.
An knowledgeable in lip studying instructed the courtroom on Tuesday that Mr Rubiales requested Ms Hermoso “can I offer you a kiss?” based mostly on video footage the place the participant’s face couldn’t be seen.
Mr Rubiales conceded he “made a mistake” on the rostrum and that his behaviour “was not applicable”, saying he ought to have “been in a extra institutional function”, however denied any offence had been dedicated.
Mr Rubiales resigned in September 2023 after FIFA suspended him and Spanish prosecutors opened an investigation.
Three of his former colleagues are additionally on trial accused of colluding within the alleged coercion: Jorge Vilda, coach of the World Cup-winning facet, Rubén Rivera, the federation’s former head of selling, and former sporting director, Albert Luque.
All 4 defendants deny the costs in opposition to them.
Prosecutors are in search of a two-and-half 12 months jail time period for Rubiales. The trial, which runs till 19 February, continues.
