Jennifer Hermoso, the Spanish soccer star who was unsolicited with a kiss on the mouth after her team won the World Cup, was told Tuesday morning in Spain’s national court that the former Spanish soccer coach is being investigated for sexual assault. He gave evidence against Luis Rubiales. Coercion associated with the episode.
Mr. Hermoso’s testimony concludes a high-profile criminal investigation into Mr. Rubiales that began days after the World Cup in Sydney, Australia, in August.
Judge Francisco de Jorge will now have to decide whether to prosecute Rubiales or close the case. If Judge de Jorge concludes there is evidence of wrongdoing, Rubiales will stand trial on sexual assault charges, which could carry a sentence of one to four years in prison. Rubiales and three other football federation officials, including former coach Jorge Vilda, could also face extortion charges for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to show support for Rubiales.
Mr. Rubiales denies the charges, saying it was only a “poking.”
On Tuesday morning, Hermoso was the last in a series of Spanish sports figures to testify. The list of witnesses called by Judge de Jorge appears to be a “who’s who” of Spanish football, including stars such as current FIFA Women’s Player of the Year Alexia Puteras. Misa Rodriguez, Real Madrid goalkeeper. and Barcelona’s star defender Irene Paredes. Several FA executives also expressed their views on the incident, as did Hermoso’s brother Vilda and Rubiales himself.
Hermoso spoke to reporters outside the Spanish National Court after his court appearance. “Everything is in the hands of justice,” she said, sounding relieved.
The hearing was held in private, so what exactly she and other witnesses revealed to Judge de Jorge has not been publicly disclosed. However, shortly after Hermoso left court this morning, Spanish prosecutors issued a statement confirming that Hermoso had testified that “the kiss was unexpected and there was no consent at any point.”
The prosecutor’s statement also described the “constant harassment” Ms Hermoso experienced while returning to Spain from Australia in August, which “upended her normal life and created a situation of distress and grief.” ” is also emphasized.
Almost six months after Rubiales’ actions overshadowed Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory, Hermoso’s profile continues to rise.
Her recent performances on the field helped Spain win the Nations League against Italy, keeping Spain’s hopes of qualifying for the Paris Olympics alive. Earlier this week, Hermoso signed a contract with Mexican club Tigres UANL. According to reports in the Spanish press, her contract is set at a six-figure figure, making it one of the biggest sums in women’s football. The minimum annual salary for players in the Spanish league is just 21,000 euros, or about $23,000, while the minimum annual salary for men’s players is 180,000 euros, or about $197,000.
Hermoso was also chosen by Spanish broadcaster TVE to co-host its New Year’s Eve celebrations.
In fact, Rubiales has largely disappeared from Spanish public life. She claims to be the victim of “false feminism” and claims that Hermoso was the one who initiated the kiss. However, in October last year, soccer’s international governing body banned him from playing competitively for three years. Awaiting Judge de Jorge’s decision, Rubiales is also being investigated by anti-corruption prosecutors for the misuse of federation funds.