Spain’s World Cup-winning star Jenni Hermoso told a judge on Tuesday that the kiss she was forced to kiss by disgraced former Spanish soccer coach Luis Rubiales was “not consensual in any way” He said he was under pressure to defend his actions.
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The 33-year-old, who arrived at Madrid’s Audiencia Nacional just before 10am (9am GMT), will testify before Judge Francisco de Jorge, who is investigating Rubiales on charges of sexual assault and extortion. I went there for the purpose.
“At the end of her statement, she confirmed her statement at the prosecutor’s office that the kiss was completely unexpected and was not consensual at any point,” a judicial source told AFP.
read more‘Woman of the Year’ Hermoso continues to fight over ‘forced kiss’ scandal
In the August 20 incident, after Spain won the Australia World Cup, the then president of Spain’s RFEF Football Federation put his hands on her head and forcibly kissed her on the lips.
He said the act was “consensual contempt,” but Hermoso insisted that was not the case.
She filed the case against him in September, and the judge said she was pressured to defend Rubiales both on the flight home from Australia and on a subsequent team holiday to Ibiza in the Balearic Islands. told.
“The conditions experienced by the victim after the incident, including constant harassment by those under investigation, both on the flight back to Spain and during her stay in Ibiza, disrupted her normal life and caused anxiety and distress.” said. The official said, citing Hermoso’s testimony.
Under Spanish law, kissing without consent can be considered sexual assault, a criminal category that lumps together all types of sexual violence.
Penalties for such a kiss range from a fine to four years in prison.
Rubiales, 46, who is under a restraining order barring her from coming within 200 meters (yards) of Hermoso, is also charged with “extortion” for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to justify his actions. The event was broadcast live across the country. world.
The kiss sparked widespread outrage and resulted in a suspension from world football governing body FIFA.
Mr. Rubiales appeared in court on September 15 and again in October.
The judge also questioned three other people – former women’s coach Jorge Virda, men’s team director Alberto Luque and RFEF marketing director Ruben Rivera – for allegedly pressuring Hermoso. .
A number of other witnesses testified in court about the pressure Hermoso faced, including two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Puteras and two other Spanish team-mates.
(AFP)