Jenni Hermoso, a key member of Spain’s World Cup-winning team, is set to testify on Monday in the trial of former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales. The case stems from the infamous kiss that sparked a national “Me Too” movement in Spain.
The 34-year-old striker is the first witness in the proceedings, which will take place at Madrid’s High Court and are expected to last at least nine days.
Rubiales, 47, faces charges of sexual assault and attempting to coerce Hermoso, with the help of three other individuals, into falsely declaring that the kiss was consensual. Rubiales denies the accusations.
The incident occurred after Spain’s victory in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, when Rubiales was seen kissing Hermoso on the lips during the post-match awards ceremony. While Rubiales maintains the gesture was consensual, Hermoso described it as an act of aggression.
The scandal not only overshadowed Spain’s historic World Cup win but also became a turning point in the fight for gender equality in Spanish football. It helped amplify efforts by female players to highlight sexism and push for equal treatment with their male counterparts.
Rubiales has requested his daughters to testify in the case. Alongside him in the dock are former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, ex-football federation sporting director Albert Luque, and former RFEF marketing head Ruben Rivera. The group is expected to testify after the court hears from all other witnesses, with a date set for February 12.
Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales, though under Spanish law, individuals sentenced to less than two years may avoid jail time by paying compensation, provided they have no prior criminal record.
The fallout from the scandal led to a strike by Hermoso’s teammates and prompted major changes within the federation, including the dismissal of Rubiales’s deputy and the appointment of a female head coach for the women’s national team for the first time.