Luis de la Fuente Testifies in Luis Rubiales Forced Kiss Trial: A Dark Chapter for Spanish Football
Luis de la Fuente, the coach of Spain's men's football team, recently testified in the trial of former federation chief Luis Rubiales, revealing that he was initially unaware of the scandal's magnitude surrounding the infamous kiss he forced on player Jenni Hermoso. This incident occurred just after Spain's victorious match against England in the 2023 World Cup final held in Australia, sparking global outrage and discussions around sexism and macho culture in sports.
Rubiales' actions led to his eventual resignation amid widespread condemnation, with Hermoso emerging as a symbol in the ongoing fight against gender-based violence within athletic contexts. Prosecutors are currently seeking a sentence of two and a half years for Rubiales, which includes one year for sexual assault due to the forced kiss and an additional 18 months for allegedly pressuring Hermoso into downplaying the incident.
In his testimony, de la Fuente stated that he only learned about the kiss during the flight back to Spain, claiming to be unaware of a press release prepared in Hermoso’s name that aimed to mitigate the escalating backlash. Despite being appointed during Rubiales' tenure from 2018 to 2023, de la Fuente denied being present at a crisis meeting held among federation officials on August 23, 2023, asserting that he did not engage with the federation’s press chief, Patricia Pérez Requena, during the discussions.
"They told me we were getting into a huge mess with the kiss business, but we went on to speak about matters that concerned me," de la Fuente remarked during his court appearance.
The trial is underpinned by the testimony of former communications director Pablo García Cuervo, who was dismissed from his position after the scandal erupted. Cuervo defended his involvement in drafting a public statement based on an interview with Hermoso, whom he claimed had given her consent for its release. Nevertheless, he faced scrutiny for allegedly suggesting that Hermoso should appear in a video with Rubiales amid the growing scandal due to concerns about her potentially altering her narrative.
Cuervo characterized Hermoso as someone who is "influence-prone and pretty manipulable," suggesting her opinion could change under pressure.
On the opening day of the trial, Hermoso herself has made it clear that she felt disrespected after the non-consensual kiss, stating that it should never happen in any setting, whether social or professional.
The trial proceedings are scheduled to continue until February 19, 2024, and they highlight not only the controversy surrounding Rubiales' actions but also the broader implications on treating women with respect in sports and beyond. As the world watches, it remains crucial to address these violations and foster a culture that supports equality and consent in every arena.
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