Spain women’s team striker Jennifer Hermoso was at the Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid on Tuesday to testify against the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales over the kiss-gate scandal.
Rubiales was called out by many top footballers and other top officials — including the Spanish government — after he kissed Hermoso during the presentation ceremony after the Spanish women's football team won their maiden Women's World Cup after beating England 1-0 in Australia.
Rubiales first insisted that the kiss was consensual but after some days, he apologised for his actions but the football fraternity demanded his resignation, which he first denied but eventually ended up resigning from his position last month.
Hermoso was anticipated to reaffirm in court her claims that the kiss was unwelcomed, and Rubiales and his team attempted to pressure the footballer and her family to minimise the incident that marred Spain's inaugural Women's World Cup victory.
The testimony was anticipated to take place behind closed doors. Reports from British media indicated that Hermoso had requested the judge to keep her court appearance as private as possible.
Spanish state prosecutors have accused Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion, asserting that he attempted to persuade Hermoso and her relatives to publicly downplay the kiss.
The judge is also receiving testimony from other World Cup-winning players, coaches, and federation officials before determining whether to proceed with a trial.
Rubiales was handed a three-year ban from all football activity by FIFA in October.
It must be noted that the Hermoso incident was not the first time Rubiales did something that was way out of line as he is said to have harassed and humiliated his female colleague in the past.
