She gave me permission — Luis Rubiales INSISTS kissing Spain’s Jenni Hermoso was consensual amid scandalous trial

Former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales is standing firm on his claim that the controversial kiss he shared with Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso was entirely consensual amid the ongoing case against him.

According to Sky News, Rubiales testified in a Madrid court, stating that he was "absolutely sure" Hermoso had agreed to the kiss during Spain’s Women's World Cup celebrations in August 2023.

The former Spanish FA president detailed his version of events, insisting that the kiss was an innocent moment of joy following Spain’s historic victory.

"When Jenni came up to me, she kind of made a face. We've known each other for a long time. Obviously, the kiss was because we became champions," Rubiales claimed in court, per Sky News.

He elaborated on his interaction with Hermoso, explaining how she had embraced him before the kiss.

"She'd missed a penalty and with all the tension during the game, I said, 'Forget about the penalty - we're champions and this is down to you. Without you, we wouldn't have done it.'

"And she hugged me very, very hard just below my armpits and lifted me off the ground.

"When I kind of hit the ground again, I said, 'Can I give you a kiss?' and she said, 'Okay'," he insisted.

While Rubiales maintains his innocence, a forensic lip reader has provided conflicting evidence. 

According to MARCA, David Morillo, a specialist in lip reading based in Granada, analysed footage of the incident for a report prepared for the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Morillo examined two videos—one from RTVE and another from TikTok—both sent to him by the Federation itself. 

He concluded that while Rubiales did indeed say, "Can I give you a kiss?" during the medal presentation, there was no visible response from Hermoso that indicated consent.

"I have seen it several times and I confirm it," Morillo stated, as reported by MARCA. 

"I did not see any response from Jenni. I do not make personal assessments, but rather analyse what was said in the conversation."

The controversy surrounding the kiss has overshadowed Spain’s first-ever Women's World Cup win and sparked wider conversations about sexism in football. 

The 47-year-old Rubiales is not only facing sexual assault charges but is also accused—alongside three other former federation officials—of attempting to pressure Hermoso into publicly supporting his version of events.

Rubiales has denied all charges but admitted that he later apologised to Hermoso, saying he "got carried away by the emotion and euphoria."