Court Declares Rubiales' Kiss With Hermoso Non-Consensual: Prosecutor's Claims

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Spanish football official Luis Rubiales is facing trial for sexual assault after a kiss he gave to player Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women's World Cup medal ceremony. The prosecutor, Marta Durantez Gil, stated in court that there is "no doubt" the kiss was non-consensual, asserting that Hermoso has no reason to fabricate her account, and that her behavior before and after the incident was consistent with her claims.

Rubiales, who resigned as president of Spain's football federation following the incident, has argued that the kiss was consensual. "She squeezed me very tightly under my armpits... and said: 'OK,'" he claimed during the trial. However, Hermoso has maintained that the kiss was unwanted and expressed feelings of disrespect.

Prosecutors are seeking a total of two and a half years in prison for Rubiales, with one year for sexual assault and an additional 18 months for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to minimize the incident. The trial, which commenced on February 3, 2025, in San Fernando de Henares, is expected to conclude soon.

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