Jenni Hermoso’s schedule is busy these days. On Sunday December 31, the Spanish football player was the star guest of the New Year’s Eve television evening, followed each year by millions of Spanish speakers from all over the world. On Monday, she announced her signing with a new Mexican club. And this Tuesday, the international striker was heard by the judge in charge of the Luis Rubiales case, named after the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), who had kissed her by force on August 20, after the victory of the Roja women at the World Cup.
Scheduled for November 28, 2023, the highly anticipated hearing of Jenni Hermoso, who had filed a complaint against Mr. Rubiales in September 2023, had been postponed for scheduling reasons. The player arrived shortly before 10 a.m. at the National Court in Madrid, wearing a long gray coat. Smiling, she gave a little wave to the press gathered in front of the building, without speaking.
As she left court, Jenni Hermoso said: “Everything is now in the hands of justice, that’s all I can say”stating laconically that “everything went well”. According to a judicial source cited by Agence France-Presse, the player reiterated in the judge’s office that this kiss had not been “at no time agreed”. She further indicated that she had been the victim of ” harassment “ from Rubiales and his entourage after the world title won in Sydney, which “altered his life, producing a situation of trouble and sadness”according to this source.
Prosecuted for sexual assault and coercion, due to the alleged pressure on Jenni Hermoso and her entourage, Luis Rubiales has already been heard, in September 2023, by the judge. He has since been banned from coming within 200 meters of the player.
“An impulsive and sexist act”
Refusing to resign for “a little kiss agreed to”he attacked, during a resounding speech five days later, a supposed “false feminism” and argued that he had obtained permission from the player before kissing her. A version denied by Jenni Hermoso, who said she “felt vulnerable and victim (…) of an impulsive and sexist act, inappropriate and without any consent of [sa] go “.
Under pressure, Mr. Rubiales ended up resigning on September 10, 2023, saying he was the victim of “disproportionate campaign”. He has since been suspended for three years from all football-related activity by the RFEF, a decision he will appeal.
Jenni Hermoso, 33, has unwillingly become a global symbol of the fight for gender equality. She was elected woman of the year 2023 by the Spanish edition of the American magazine GQ. Monday, on X, the player announced that she had signed with the Mexican club Tigres Femenil. “Nothing makes me happier than announcing that I will be part of this incredible club”declared the Spaniard, who played until last season with the Mexican club Pachuca.