The former president of the Spanish Football Association, Luis Rubiales, apparently put pressure on the world champion after the forced kiss with Jennifer Hermoso. This emerges from statements made by former world footballer Alexia Putellas and Co. in court on Monday (October 2nd, 2023).
Putellas, Irene Paredes and Misa Rodriguez confirmed that Hermoso had been put under pressure, among other things, on the team bus and on a holiday together in Ibiza in order to relieve Rubiales, it was said. The 46-year-old ex-official tried to persuade the footballer in tears to make a video together.
The three interviewees also said that they had heard from third parties that the 33-year-old Hermoso had been pressured by the then national coach Jorge Vilda, among others, to make her explain that the kiss was mutually agreed upon. Putellas and Paredes were connected via video, Rodriguez testified on site.
Players: Hermoso doesn’t agree to the kiss
The three confirmed that Hermoso did not agree to the kiss. At the award ceremony after the final of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Rubiales kissed the player Hermoso on the mouth against her will.
This triggered a storm of indignation, the world champions temporarily went on strike, Rubiales stubbornly remained in office at first, but then gave up under great pressure. He is also not allowed to approach Hermoso or make contact with her.
Vilda also summoned
The controversial world champion coach Jorge Vilda was fired as part of the World Cup review and has been summoned to appear on October 10th. He is now also being investigated.
Rubiales asserts that Hermoso consented to the kiss. But the player explained that she had “felt like a victim of an impulsive, sexist and inappropriate act to which I did not consent”. The investigating judge must decide whether the accused should be put in the dock. According to experts, Rubiales faces a prison sentence of up to four years in this case.