{"id":1656640,"date":"2025-02-07T15:00:40","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T14:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pre.efe.com\/?p=1656640"},"modified":"2025-02-07T18:31:56","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T17:31:56","slug":"hermosos-testimony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pre.efe.com\/en\/other-news\/2025-02-07\/hermosos-testimony\/","title":{"rendered":"Courtroom Drama: Hermoso\u2019s stand, Rubiales\u2019 fate hangs in balance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Madrid, Feb 7 (EFE).\u2013 Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso\u2019s steadfast testimony has defined the first week of the trial against former football federation president Luis Rubiales over the unsolicited kiss he planted on her after the 2023 Women\u2019s World Cup final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proceedings have also been marked by the judge’s unexpectedly sharp interventions, stirring courtroom tension and sparking buzz on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trial has brought a steady stream of testimonies from players, family members, and football officials before Spain\u2019s National Court. Their accounts have revisited the controversy that led to Rubiales’ departure from the federation amid public outcry, not only the kiss itself but also the alleged pressures to downplay the incident in its aftermath.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nSpanish soccer player Jenni Hermoso (C) arrives to testify as witness in the first session of trial of Luis Rubiales (unseen), former president of the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF), at Audiencia Nacional Court, in the town of San Fernando de Henares, Madrid, Spain, 03 February 2025. EFE\/Fernando Villar<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
One by one, witnesses have pieced together the events that followed Spain\u2019s historic World Cup victory, an achievement that Hermoso says was \u201cstained\u201d by the controversy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Rubiales, seated beside his lawyer and exchanging quiet remarks, awaits his turn to defend himself next week against charges of sexual assault and coercion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key moments from the first week of the trial, which also involves coach Jorge Vilda and former federation executives Albert Luque and Rub\u00e9n Rivera:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nFormer president of the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales at his arrival at Nacional Court during the fourth session of his trial for his non-consensual kiss to soccer player Jenni Hermoso after the team’s victory in World Soccer Cup’s final in Sydney (Australia), in the town of San Fernando de Henares, Madrid, Spain, 06 February 2025. EFE\/ Fernando Villar<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
For over two hours, Hermoso took the stand, delivering a resolute account of the events: the kiss, the “countless” pleas for her to say she had consented, and the overwhelming sense of isolation she felt from the federation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I didn\u2019t approve it,” she said about the kiss Rubiales gave her while grabbing her head. She insisted she hadn\u2019t signaled for it and wouldn\u2019t have accepted it even if she had seen it coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I knew my boss was kissing me, and this should not happen in any work or social setting,” she saod, as Rubiales shook his head in apparent disagreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also pushed back against the idea of the “good victim,” countering suggestions that her initial reaction invalidated her discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“My attitude, however I may be, doesn’t change what I felt. I don\u2019t need to be crying in a room or lying on the floor for people to understand that I didn\u2019t like it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her brother, questioned by the defense, admitted he had initially downplayed the incident to “protect” her and to keep the focus on Spain\u2019s victory rather than the controversy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Judge Losing Patience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
\nSpanish national soccer player Misa Rodriguez leaves the Audiencia Nacional Court after the third session of trial against former president of the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales for his non-consensual kiss to soccer player Jenni Hermoso after the team’s victory in World Soccer Cup’s final in Sydney (Australia), in the town of San Fernando de Henares, Madrid, Spain, 05 February 2025. EFE\/Fernando Villar<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Presiding Judge Jos\u00e9 Manuel Fern\u00e1ndez-Prieto, known for his low profile, has become an unexpected protagonist in the trial. His sharp interruptions\u2014particularly directed at prosecutor Marta Dur\u00e1ntez and certain witnesses\u2014have ignited discussion both inside and outside the courtroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was his no-nonsense style that surfaced multiple times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Spain coach Luis de la Fuente tried to veer off-topic, the judge reminded him, “One does not choose what to talk about. One answers what is asked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When former federation communications chief Pablo Garc\u00eda Cuervo appeared evasive, the judge, after banging on the table, demanded, “I want clear answers, not arrogance.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even the prosecutor faced his frustration when she attempted to challenge contradictory statements. His firm “file a complaint” response made it clear that certain witnesses were not on trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Social media has latched onto his repeated “let\u2019s move on” as he tries to maintain control of the proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Testimonies of Pressure and Manipulation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
\nSpanish National soccer player Laia Codina (L) leaves the Nacional Court after the fourth session of the trial against former president of the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales for his non-consensual kiss to soccer player Jenni Hermoso after the team’s victory in World Soccer Cup’s final in Sydney (Australia), in the town of San Fernando de Henares, Madrid, Spain, 06 February 2025. EFE\/ Fernando Villar<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Several witnesses, including players Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes, Misa Rodr\u00edguez, and Laia Codina, supported Hermoso\u2019s claims that she was pressured to back Rubiales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Putellas described her teammate as “sad” and emotionally distant in the days following the incident. \u201cShe wasn\u2019t there. She wasn\u2019t Jenni,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, not all testimonies aligned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Putellas recalled that someone on the flight back from Australia urged Hermoso to speak with Rubiales but did not specify who. Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda Tim\u00f3n, Rubiales\u2019 chief of staff, denied witnessing any such exchange.
De la Fuente said he was asleep on the flight, unaware of any tension, while Ana \u00c1lvarez, the federation\u2019s director of women\u2019s football, testified that she had observed significant unease among those on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hermoso\u2019s brother recounted a conversation in which coach Jorge Vilda approached him on the plane, warning that the controversy could have \u201cconsequences\u201d for his sister, who \u201cdidn\u2019t have much football left.\u201d
A close friend of Hermoso, who accompanied her to Ibiza, said he was contacted by Albert Luque, who allegedly offered job security in exchange for downplaying the situation. \u201cIt felt like selling my soul to the devil,\u201d he recalled.
Conversely, Garc\u00eda Cuervo, the former communications executive, accused Hermoso of contradictions, blaming her for his dismissal. He claimed she had approved a statement minimizing the kiss, though he admitted he never asked her to confirm it again for fear she might change her mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ‘Crisis Cabinet’ of August 23<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
\nSpanish soccer player Jenni Hermoso (L) leaves after she testified in the first session of trial of Luis Rubiales (unseen), former president of the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF), at Audiencia Nacional Court, in the town of San Fernando de Henares, Madrid, Spain, 03 February 2025. EFE\/Fernando Villar<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
A contentious meeting held three days after the incident in Rubiales’ office\u2014often referred to as the “crisis cabinet”\u2014has emerged as another focal point of the trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patricia P\u00e9rez, the press officer for the women\u2019s national team, described it as a “trap,” orchestrated to persuade Hermoso to alter her account. She alleged that Rubiales had sought changes to an internal federation report that ultimately exonerated him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
De la Fuente denied involvement, claiming he had met with Rubiales that day in an adjacent room only to discuss football. His version, however, drew skepticism from the prosecutor, who warned of \u201cfalse testimony\u201d\u2014a matter that will be reviewed at the trial\u2019s conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Verdict Still Unwritten<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the trial progresses, Rubiales and his co-defendants prepare to present their defense next week. The testimonies so far have painted a picture of division, some backing Hermoso\u2019s claims of coercion, others casting doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What remains clear is that this case extends far beyond a single kiss. It has become a referendum on power, accountability, and the culture of Spanish football. EFE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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