New allegations against officials
Rubiales calls attack on Hermoso “anecdote”
October 5, 2023, 11:26 a.m
The forced kiss with soccer world champion Jenni Hermoso was consensual and an “anecdote” – this is the version the resigned Spanish association boss Luis Rubiales insists on in court. Meanwhile, an association employee is making allegations of blackmail against Rubiales.
Luis Rubiales has testified in court and once again denied committing sexual assault during the Spanish World Cup honors. The resigned president of the Spanish association instead called the kiss he forced on Jenni Hermoso after winning the World Cup final against England an “anecdote”. That’s what she reports Spanish news agency EFE from the courtroom.
Shortly after the incident, Hermoso said she “felt like the victim of an impulsive, sexist and inappropriate act that I did not consent to.” A judge recently ordered that the 46-year-old could only approach Hermoso within 200 meters and not have any contact with her.
The Spanish justice system is investigating allegations of sexual aggression and coercion against Rubiales. At the new court hearing, the 46-year-old stated that he had obtained Hermoso’s consent before the kiss. “How could I have behaved disrespectfully if I asked her beforehand,” Rubiales said, according to EFE. “And she’s laughing too [vom Podium] went and hit me on the side twice,” continued Rubiales. “Hermoso denies consensual involvement, and numerous teammates have confirmed her version of events. According to Spanish criminal law, a non-consensual kiss can be considered sexual assault.
Asked about the association’s internal anti-harassment policies, Rubiales said ESPN According to him, it’s not “about what’s allowed or not, but about behavior.” It was a “completely extraordinary celebration”: “It was as if you had just won the lottery, or as if the war in Ukraine was over – or as if you were winning a World Cup.” The kiss triggered a widespread protest, Spain’s footballers announced a boycott of international matches, and Rubiales and national coach Jorge Vilda then resigned, albeit reluctantly.
Did Rubiales lock the press director in the office?
Rubiales also told the court that members of the association had advised him to explain what had happened. And that it “would be fantastic” if Hermoso performed with him. “I told her, listen, my daughters are here, they’re suffering. We can end all of this.” Three of Hermoso’s teammates testified at the beginning of the week that Hermoso had been pressured by Rubiales to exonerate him. According to world footballer Alexia Putellas, captain Irene Paredes and Misa Rodríguez, Hermoso was put under pressure on the team bus and when the world champions were vacationing together in Ibiza. The ex-official tried, through tears, to persuade the footballer to produce a video together.
Patricia Perez, the Spanish footballers’ press officer, also recently described aggressive behavior. She told the court that Rubiales locked her up for three hours and blackmailed her. Together with Hermoso, Perez should release a statement that describes the kiss as consensual. The Spanish association published such a statement shortly after the World Cup final, according to which Hermoso said: “The president and I have a great relationship, his behavior towards us was excellent and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.”
Perez explained in court how this statement came about: Rubiales, Rubiales’ father and other association officials locked her in an office. There she had to sign a document to testify that Hermoso had actually made the statements. This is what “Bild” reports. The footballer immediately contradicted the statement and filed a complaint.
Rubiales also described in his court hearing that the then national coach Jorge Vilda suggested speaking to Jenni Hermoso’s brother on the flight back from the World Cup. “I didn’t know that the brother was flying with us,” said Rubiales: However, Vilda described him as a “sensible guy” with whom he spoke. “Jorge Vilda said to me that he [der Bruder] with her [Jenni Hermoso] will talk.” With the aim of “not letting what should really just be an anecdote become a problem.”