Spanish soccer world champion Jennifer Hermoso testified in court in Madrid in the trial surrounding allegations of sexual assault.
In the trial surrounding allegations of sexual assault, Spanish world champion Jennifer Hermoso confirmed during questioning in court that the former head of the Spanish football association RFEF, Luis Rubiales, had given her a kiss without consent.
“Now everything depends on the justice system,” said the 33-year-old afterwards on Tuesday (January 2, 2023) as she left the State Court in Madrid.
FIFA bans Rubiales for three years
Rubiales kissed her on the mouth on August 20th at the award ceremony after winning the World Cup final in Sydney, triggering a wave of indignation, as a result of which he was fired FIFA banned him for three years and the Spanish Court of Arbitration for Sport and resigned as RFEF chief.
Rubiales continues to assert that Hermoso consented to the kiss. However, the player had already complained back then that she had felt at the award ceremony “as a victim of an impulsive, sexist and inappropriate act that I did not agree to.”
Possible prison sentence of up to four years
Spanish prosecutors accuse Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion. Under a new Spanish law, “sexual harassment” will be treated like “sexual assault.” Because of this law, Rubiales faces a prison sentence of one to four years or a fine if found guilty, according to the public prosecutor’s office.
But first the examining judge must decide. Francisco de Jorge has already interviewed numerous witnesses, including several players from the Spanish World Cup team. He must decide whether Rubiales will be put in the dock.
Meanwhile, Hermoso has found a new club. The 33-year-old is moving from CF Pachuca to multiple champions Tigres Feminil in the Mexican league. The footballer and the club announced this on social media.