Jenni Hermoso’s brother, Rafael Hermoso, testified on February 5, 2025, that his sister had been threatened with “consequences” if she did not downplay the controversy surrounding the forced kiss from Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation. The kiss occurred after Spain’s victory over England in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final, an event that triggered global outrage and eventually led to Rubiales’ resignation. The incident has turned Jenni Hermoso into a symbol of resistance against sexism and toxic masculinity in sports.
During his testimony, Rafael Hermoso revealed that former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda had approached him while the team was returning to Spain after the World Cup. Vilda allegedly asked him to convince Jenni to publicly state that she was not bothered by the kiss. Rafael Hermoso recounted Vilda’s words, in which the coach emphasized his sister’s career and age, suggesting that cooperation would bring positive outcomes for her. However, Vilda also warned that failure to comply could lead to unpredictable consequences.
Vilda reportedly said, “We should bear in mind the professional and personal consequences that all this could have for my sister.” This statement added weight to the allegation that the Spanish football establishment was pressuring Hermoso to downplay the incident, even as it sparked outrage across the globe.
The testimony, which was given in the Audiencia Nacional court just outside Madrid, highlighted the extent of the pressure exerted on Hermoso following the incident. According to prosecutors, Rubiales, 47, should be sentenced to two and a half years in prison, with one year for the sexual assault charge related to the forced kiss, and 18 months for allegedly coercing Hermoso into minimizing the affair. Rubiales, who maintains the kiss was a mere “peck between friends” and denies any coercion, is scheduled to testify before the court on February 12.
In addition to Rubiales, Vilda, along with two former Spanish football federation officials, Ruben Rivera and Albert Luque, are also facing trial. Prosecutors are seeking 18 months of prison for each of them, accusing them of attempting to force Hermoso to downplay the kiss. The three men are charged with coercion, with evidence suggesting that they too played a role in pressuring Hermoso to maintain a more favorable narrative around the event.
Misa Rodríguez, a teammate of Jenni Hermoso, also gave testimony in court. Rodríguez described the emotional distress Hermoso endured after the kiss and subsequent pressure from Rubiales. The goalkeeper said Hermoso was visibly upset, starting to cry soon after Rubiales spoke to her on the plane back to Spain. Rodríguez made it clear that Hermoso never indicated that the kiss was consensual. This testimony adds a crucial layer of emotional and psychological insight into the toll the incident took on Hermoso, as well as the gravity of the coercion she allegedly faced.
The case has brought attention to the deeply entrenched culture of sexism and power abuse in sports, particularly in male-dominated environments. Jenni Hermoso’s experience, compounded by the actions of those around her, has sparked a wider conversation about consent, gender dynamics, and the rights of women in sports. As the trial progresses, many are watching to see if justice will be served not only for Hermoso but also for the broader fight against such abuses in the sports industry.
