Jennifer Hermoso’s statement given to prosecutors over a month ago was broadcast on Spanish TV on Monday, October 9, 2023.
Hermoso said that Luis Rubiales kissed her on the lips after Spain’s World Cup triumph without her consent.
This is the first time that Jennifer Hermoso’s ordeal has been made available to the public in her own words.
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner told prosecutors that she felt “disrespected” as a player and a person.
Former President Rubiales has since the incident denied sexually assaulting Hermoso, and he claimed that the kiss was consensual.
The 46-year-old, who remained adamant about not resigning from his role as president, eventually resigned in September 2023, following public outcry and intervention from his family.
Reports indicate that an investigating judge is now carrying out early investigations to decide if the accusations should be tried in court.
The National Court in Spain has since increased the purview of its investigation to accommodate other officials in the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Jennifer Hermoso’s statements were recorded in the prosecutor’s office in September 2023, and the footage was broadcast by commercial channel Telecinco.
Hermoso moaned that her image had been tainted by the governing body of football in Spain and no one stood up for her.
The Spaniard said: “As an employee of that federation, no one protected me.”
Luis Rubiales and Jennifer Hermoso saga
Jennifer Hermoso gave a detailed account of what occurred as players of Spain celebrated their triumph over England at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
She described how the kiss came about and how it left her in utter shock, Hermoso said that she told Rubiales: “We’ve done it.”
The 33-year-old then said that Luis Rubiales expressed that the victory was achieved due to her input, before putting his hand on her head and kissing her on the lips.
Jennifer Hermoso afterward said that she doesn’t remember anything else apart from that action.
She said in the footage that it was unexpected, saying: “how could I expect it in that scenario of a medal ceremony at a World Cup final?”
Hermoso was at some point in the footage teary that she had to leave Madrid, to avoid certain pressure she has received since the incident.
The 33-year-old also shared a bombshell that some officials of the Spanish Football Federation had approached her to sign a press statement for the World media to indicate that the kiss was consensual.
Jennifer Hermoso was also asked about a video that showed her teammates joking about the kiss on the bus and the Spaniard said that she didn’t want to spoil the celebratory mood.
This statement broadcast to the public is coming hours before Jorge Vilda, former manager of Spain, appeared on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, before a judge over the Luis Rubiales and Jennifer Hermoso scandal.
The judge is apparently investigating if he tried to force Luis Rubiales to say that the kiss was consensual.
However, Vilda has denied trying to pressure Jennifer Hermoso and he argues that he didn’t see the kiss in real time as he was at the back of his then-players receiving their winners’ medal.
Jorge Vilda has although admitted to discussing with her brother on the flight from Sydney to Madrid when he found out that she was looking disconsolate.
Jennifer Hermoso currently plays for Mexican club CF Pachuca, and she is the all-time top scorer for both Spain and Barcelona.
Hermoso scored 147 goals in 158 appearances for Barcelona, while for Spain, she has scored 51 goals in 101 appearances.
The 33-year-old has also played for several other top clubs, including; Paris Saint Germain and Atletico Madrid.
Has Rubiales resigned as Spain’s Football Federation president?
Luis Rubiales resigned on September 10, 2023, and in an interview with Piers Morgan, he insisted that the kiss was mutual and shared his belief that the truth would prevail.
