Teammates Testify on Emotional Toll of Rubiales' Unsolicited Kiss on Hermoso

Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso's teammates recount her distress over the forced kiss and subsequent pressure to downplay the incident during sexual assault trial.

• Former Spanish football president Luis Rubiales is on trial for sexual assault and coercion following an unsolicited kiss on Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women's World Cup awards ceremony.
• Teammates testified that Hermoso felt overwhelmed, distraught, and unable to enjoy the team's victory due to the incident and subsequent pressure to defend Rubiales' actions.
• Prosecutors accuse Rubiales and three other former federation officials of attempting to coerce Hermoso into publicly stating the kiss was consensual.
• Teammates recounted Hermoso crying on the flight home and during a post-victory trip, describing her as emotionally exhausted and weighed down by the situation.
• Rubiales faces up to two and a half years in prison if convicted, with additional charges against former coach Jorge Vilda and two other officials for their alleged roles in pressuring Hermoso.

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The Guardian