MADRID: Spanish World Cup-winning star Jenni Hermoso told a judge on Tuesday that the kiss forced on her by disgraced former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales was “at no point consensual” and that she had come under pressure to defend his actions.
After arriving at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid just before 10:00 am (0900 GMT), the 33-year-old went to testify before Judge Francisco de Jorge, who is investigating Rubiales on allegations of sexual assault and coercion.
“At the end of her declaration, she ratified the statement made at the public prosecutor´s office that the kiss was completely unexpected and at no point was it consensual,” a judicial source told AFP.
During the incident on August 20, the then head of Spain´s RFEF football federation held her head in both hands and forcibly kissed her on the lips after Spain won the World Cup in Australia.
He has said the act was “a consensual peck” but Hermoso has insisted it was not.
She filed a lawsuit against him in September and told the judge she had come under pressure to defend Rubiales, both on the flight back from Australia and on a subsequent team holiday to Ibiza in the Balearic Islands.
US gymnast Simone Biles competes in the floor exercise at the Core Hydration Classic in Connecticut.—AFP/fileLOS...
RCB players celebrate after winning the Indian Premier League Twenty20 cricket match against Chennai Super Kings at...
Peter McQuibban, Chairman of the Council of International Lawn Tennis Clubs seen in this undated...
Barcelona women's team celebrating after winning Copa de la Reina on May 19, 2024.—ESPNBARCELONA: Barcelona hammered...
Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates with the trophy on the podium after winning the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. —...
Pakistani runner Faisal Shafi during a race. — Instagram/faisalshafitness/file KARACHI: Pakistan on Sunday hosted...