Jennifer Hermoso, the Spanish soccer star who was forcibly kissed From Luis Rubiales, the previous senior soccer official of her nation testifies when his trial found on Monday that he “ruined probably the most happiest days in my life” – the victory of her group within the Girls’s World Cup in 2023.
D -i’m lovely described her horror in the unexpected kiss by G -n Rubiales, who’s accused of sexual assault and coercion. She additionally testifies to the struggling she experiences after Mr. Rubiales and different Spanish soccer leaders began what she referred to as an intensive marketing campaign for her to help it publicly after the kiss caught hearth Social Media StormS
“I felt disrespectful,” says the 34 -year -old d -hermos in tv testimony within the course of exterior Madrid and added: “I didn’t search this act, nor did I count on it.”
The kiss has began a nationwide scandal, an intensive Debate on long -time sexism in Spanish football And it turned a water breath within the #Metoo motion of Spain. Now, lower than a 12 months and a half later, Mr. Rubiales is among the 4 former Spanish soccer officers of the take a look at.
Mr. Rubiales, 47, has been confronted with two and a half years in jail, if convicted. The opposite three males who embrace Jorge Wilda, The 2023 World Cup coach.are accused of coercion. Anybody can face 18 months.
Da Hermos has lengthy stated that the kiss shouldn’t be a consensus, which d -Rubiales disputes.
“I could not react – it was a thousandth second,” she testified.
Rubiales threatened to ship folks to speak to their household, she testified and requested her to make a video that performs him. She additionally talks about what she noticed as a possible punishment for her refusal: a month after the kiss, she was briefly Left the list of national teamS
“I refused to do one thing my boss needed to do,” she stated, including that she had acquired threats of loss of life. “I used to be afraid to exit into the road in case somebody was chasing me.”
However in the course of the medal ceremony after the ultimate, Mr. Rubiales Grabbed and kissed D -Ja Hermoso – a report purpose scorer of the nationwide group – on the lips. In A video made after the matchShe stated, “I did not prefer it!”
The general public response was quick and livid.
For a lot of, the kiss was a reminder of a number of sexism scandals which have torn via Spanish soccer. Some referred to as on Mr. Rubiales to resign. Irene Montero, who was a Spanish minister of equality and is now a member of the European Parliament, described the kiss as “sexual violence” in Social Media PublicationS
Initially d -n Rubiales suggests Excuse for a strong They usually resisted the calls to resign. The Spanish Soccer Federation has launched a press release that quotes the di -herme, calling it “a very spontaneous mutual gesture.”
However within the course of on Monday, Ijh Hermoso stated she had by no means authorised the assertion, including that she instantly knew that the act was not regular. “My boss kissed me,” she stated. “This could not occur.”
After kissing dozens of Spanish soccer gamers stated they might do it refuse to play for their country Till the “present managers” gave method apart, which many thought of as a reference to G -n Rubiales and G -N Vilda.
D -ga hermos filed a penalty of sexual assault in opposition to G -n Rubiales. “At no time did I agree with the kiss he gave me,” she stated.
As Public pressureThe help of G -n Rubiales turns into thinner. FIFA, World Governing Physique of Soccer, stopped it and later prohibit it From sports activities for 3 years. D -n Vilda He was firedS Lower than a month after the kiss, Mr. Rubiales resigned as president of the Spanish Soccer Federation, in addition to as Vice President of UEFA, the governing physique of European soccer.
Mr. Rubiales was additionally briefly Arrested last year In a widespread investigation into accusations of corruption and cash laundering whereas he’s operating soccer in Spain. These Investigations continueThough no costs have been filed in opposition to him. He has denied misconductS
Mr. Rubiales could not face jail, even when he’s convicted. In Spain, if somebody and not using a prison report is sentenced to 2 years or much less, he normally doesn’t go to jail.
Nonetheless, heh Hermoso described the kiss and response of the general public as a everlasting trauma. “My life is in readiness mode,” she stated. “And, frankly, I could not dwell freely.”
Arica Para and Nader Ibrahim contributed to analysis.
