Luis Rubiales tells sexual assault trial he's 'absolutely sure' Jenni Hermoso consented to kiss after Spain's 2023 World Cup triumph

Rubiales stands accused of kissing the Spanish forward during the presentation ceremony of the 2023 World Cup triumph without her consent. In the aftermath of the incident, Rubiales resigned from his role as president of the royal Spanish football federation (RFEF) and now faces charges of sexual assault. Meanwhile, three other defendants - former women's national team coach Jorge Vilda, ex-sporting director Albert Luque, and former head of marketing Rubén Rivera - are accused of coercing Hermoso into backing Rubiales' claim that the kiss was consensual.

Hermoso has repeatedly stated that she did not consent to the kiss. She testified in court last week, expressing that she "felt disrespected" and that the moment had "stained one of the happiest days of [her] life". However, Rubiales has now given a different version of events in his testimony, telling the court: "I am absolutely sure that she gave me her permission. In that moment it was something completely spontaneous."

Rubiales has always denied any wrongdoing. He went on to insist that Hermoso had smiled at him before the kiss and that their long-standing relationship played a role in the interaction.

"When Jenny 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," he testified during the sexual assault trial on Tuesday, as reported by Sky Sports.

"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'."

Rubiales also sought to challenge how the prosecution has framed the incident, claiming that "the law of physics" proves he was not forcing himself onto Hermoso.

"My feet come off the ground, you'll see that," he said. "I do what I can to not fall over and lose my balance. Anybody who knows anything about the law of physics knows that you have to bend your knees in order to take off the ground."

The case against Rubiales is being pursued aggressively by prosecutors, Hermoso, and Spain's players' association. They have requested a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales, along with a fine of €50,000 (£42,000/$51,800) in damages and a ban from holding any position as a sports official. Additionally, the three other defendants could face 18-month prison sentences if found guilty of attempting to pressure Hermoso into supporting Rubiales’ version of events. FIFA have already taken disciplinary action against Rubiales, banning him from football for three years following the scandal.