Teammates Back Jenni Hermoso in Ongoing Rubiales Trial

Teammates of Jenni Hermoso have testified in support of her claims regarding the alleged coercive kiss by former football chief Luis Rubiales, highlighting the emotional distress faced by Hermoso post-incident as the trial unfolds in Madrid.

Former Spanish football star, Jenni Hermoso’s teammates took the stand in Madrid's court on Thursday, shedding light on the emotional turmoil she experienced after an alleged forced kiss from Luis Rubiales, the ex-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The trial centers around accusations of sexual assault and coercion against Rubiales, stemming from the controversial incident during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup medal ceremony.

Witnesses Irene Paredes, Alexia Putellas, and Laia Codina shared their observations of Hermoso's state following the incident. Putellas described her teammate as feeling "overwhelmed," noting that Hermoso was visibly upset during the flight back to Spain, crying from exhaustion. Codina observed that rather than celebrating the historic victory, Hermoso was "sad" and "not enjoying herself." The teammate's testimonies align with Hermoso's claim that she had not consented to the kiss and felt "disrespected."

During the court session, Putellas recounted that Hermoso showed her video footage of the kiss, leaving them both perplexed about Rubiales' actions. Paredes recalled needing to reign in jokes about the kiss during their journey home, insisting that the situation should be treated seriously.

The situation took a troubling turn when it was revealed that Rubiales allegedly pressured Hermoso into denying that any non-consensual act had taken place. This was reportedly communicated through coach Jorge Vilda, who advised Hermoso's brother that there could be professional repercussions if she did not help downplay the situation.

In her testimony, Hermoso recounted that Rubiales grabbed her and kissed her without warning, emphasizing that intimate gestures should be consensual. She expressed feeling "abandoned" by the football federation following the incident and indicated her resolve not to deny her feelings about the kiss.

As the trial progresses, the prosecutors are advocating for a one-year prison term for Rubiales on sexual assault charges, along with an additional year and a half for coercion related to his alleged attempts to manipulate Hermoso's public narrative. Rubiales has consistently denied all allegations. The trial continues as the football community closely watches the proceedings, emphasizing the need for accountability and respect in the sports arena.