Spain’s World Cup winner, Jenni Hermoso, made it clear on Monday that she did not consent to the kiss from former federation chief Luis Rubiales shortly after the World Cup triumph in 2023.

“I knew I was being kissed by my boss and that should not happen in any social or work environment,” Hermoso said during the Rubiales trial in Madrid.

Spain's footballer Jennifer Hermoso arrives at the court of San Fernando de Henares, east of Madrid, on February 3, 2025, in the case against former president of the Spanish football federation Luis Rubiales, accused of sex assault and coercion over forcible kiss on her lips during the 2023 Women's World Cup medal ceremony. Photo: AFP/ Thomas Coex
Spain's footballer Jennifer Hermoso arrives at the court of San Fernando de Henares, east of Madrid, on February 3, 2025, in the case against former president of the Spanish football federation Luis Rubiales, accused of sex assault and coercion over forcible kiss on her lips during the 2023 Women's World Cup medal ceremony. Photo: AFP/ Thomas Coex
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The infamous kiss brought out debates on sexism in sports and triggered a worldwide backlash. Hermoso told the Madrid High Court that the incident “tainted one of the happiest days of my life”. The 34-year-old forward has accused 47-year-old Rubiales of sexual assault and attempting to coerce her, with the help of three other men, to claim that the kiss was consensual.

I knew I was being kissed by my boss and that should not happen in any social or work environment

Jenni Hermoso

Hermoso said the incident happened before she could even react. “I didn't hear or understand anything. The next thing he did was to grab me by the ears and kiss me on the mouth ... I felt disrespected,” she told the court. Hermoso specifically told the prosecutor that she ‘never’ agreed to the kiss.

Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish football federation leaves the court of San Fernando de Henares, east of Madrid, on February 3, 2025 on the first day of his trial. Photo: AFP/ Javier Soriano
Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish football federation leaves the court of San Fernando de Henares, east of Madrid, on February 3, 2025 on the first day of his trial. Photo: AFP/ Javier Soriano
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The prosecution is seeking a 2.5-year prison term for Rubiales. Hermoso said he had tried to make her record a video with him after the incident. “I said no, that I was not going to do anything, that I was not the cause of this, Hermoso told the court.