Hermoso Pressured to Downplay Kiss as Brother Testifies in Spain Court

Scandal That Shook Global Football Takes a Legal Turn

The forced-kiss scandal that shook the football world has taken a dramatic turn, as new testimony reveals the intense pressure Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso faced after the incident.

On Wednesday, February 7, Hermoso’s brother, Rafael Hermoso, testified in Spain’s National Court, stating that his sister was threatened with serious “consequences” if she did not downplay the controversial kiss given by former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales.

Rubiales had sparked global outrage when he forcibly kissed Hermoso during the medal ceremony after Spain’s historic victory against England in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Australia.

The scandal led to his resignation in disgrace and turned Hermoso into a symbol of resistance against sexism in sports.

During his testimony, Rafael Hermoso revealed that former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda approached him during the flight back to Spain and urged him to convince his sister to record a video with Rubiales, saying it would be in her best interest. According to Rafael, Vilda explicitly warned him that if Hermoso did not cooperate, she could face uncertain consequences, both professionally and personally.

Rafael stated that Vilda told him, “My sister was of a certain age, she already had a career, and if she cooperated, things would go well for her. But if she did not cooperate, there was no way of knowing what would happen.” He further recalled that the coach’s final words were a chilling reminder of the potential professional and personal fallout his sister might face.

This testimony adds weight to the prosecution’s case against Rubiales, who is currently facing two and a half years in prison—one year for sexual assault related to the non-consensual kiss and an additional 18 months for allegedly coercing Hermoso to downplay the incident.

Rubiales, 47, has consistently denied wrongdoing, describing the kiss as an “innocent peck between friends celebrating a victory.” However, his actions triggered an international backlash, with footballers, activists, and public figures condemning what they saw as a clear abuse of power and a reflection of deep-rooted sexism in sports.

The legal battle has also implicated three other former officials from the Spanish football federation. Prosecutors have filed coercion charges against Jorge Vilda, former marketing director Rubén Rivera, and director of the national team Albert Luque, all of whom are accused of pressuring Hermoso into making a public statement in support of Rubiales. They face 18 months in prison if convicted.

Testimonies from Hermoso’s teammates have further corroborated claims of intense pressure. Spain’s goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez told the court that Hermoso broke down in tears after speaking with Rubiales on the plane, adding that the striker appeared to be under enormous stress. “At no point did she tell us that the kiss was consensual,” Rodríguez testified, contradicting Rubiales’ repeated claims that Hermoso had agreed to the kiss.

The case has become a landmark moment in the fight against sexism and abuse of power in professional sports, drawing comparisons to the global #MeToo movement. The Spanish government, FIFA, and women’s rights groups have all voiced support for Hermoso, with many calling for a complete overhaul of the leadership structures in Spanish football to ensure better protection for female athletes.

The scandal also led to sweeping changes within Spain’s football federation, with Jorge Vilda being dismissed as head coach just weeks after the World Cup victory, despite previously enjoying strong backing from Rubiales. His removal was seen as a necessary step toward rebuilding trust in Spanish women’s football, which had been marred by years of internal disputes and accusations of mistreatment by coaching staff.

With Rubiales set to testify in court on February 12, all eyes will be on the proceedings, as this case could set a precedent for how professional sports institutions handle allegations of misconduct at the highest levels. If convicted, it would mark a significant shift in accountability within international football governance.

As the trial unfolds, the world will be watching whether the legal system will deliver justice for Hermoso and whether this moment will lead to lasting reforms in sports culture, ensuring that female athletes can compete without fear of harassment or coercion.

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