Teammates testify at Rubiales sexual assault trial

During the ongoing sexual assault trial of former Spanish football president Luis Rubiales, teammates of Jenni Hermoso testified about her emotional distress following the unsolicited kiss he gave her during the 2023 Women's World Cup victory celebration. Hermoso's teammates, including Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes, described how the incident overshadowed what should have been a joyous moment, with Hermoso feeling overwhelmed and pressured to publicly downplay the kiss. Rubiales has claimed that Hermoso consented to the kiss, a statement Hermoso has vehemently denied, asserting she was coerced by Rubiales and federation officials to support his narrative. Testimonies revealed that Hermoso was deeply upset and felt harassed by Rubiales' attempts to make her record a video to mitigate public backlash. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of two and a half years for Rubiales, while other federation officials face similar charges. The case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting issues of consent and workplace harassment in sports.