The much anticipated trial of Spain’s former female Federation chief Luis Rubiales who was accused of inappropriately kissing Jenni Hermoso, the team’s star forward has commenced on Monday.
The 47-year-old provoked worldwide outrage after he held Hermoso’s head and gave her an unsolicited kiss after Spain beat England to win the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia.
Rubiales is charged with one count of sexual assault and one count for coercion for the incident.
Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half year prison sentence for Rubiales.
Hermoso testified at the trial on Monday, with Rubiales scheduled to follow on February 12. The trial is expected to last until February 19.
Rubiales and Hermoso did not greet each other as they arrived at the National Court in San Fernando de Henares near Madrid for the trial scheduled to run until February 19.
The kiss was given “unexpectedly and without the consent or acceptance of the player”, prosecutors wrote in their indictment.
“Constant and repeated pressure was exerted directly on the player Jennifer Hermoso and through her family and friends with the aim of justifying and publicly approving the kiss that Luis Rubiales gave her against her will,” it added.
Rubiales is scheduled to take the stand on February 12. He has called the kiss an innocuous “peck between friends celebrating” and denied any coercion.
Among the accused alongside Rubiales are ex-women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda and two former federation officials, Ruben Rivera and Albert Luque.
They also stand accused of trying to coerce Hermoso with prosecutors seeking 18 months’ jail against them.
