A lip reader has tabled a damning evidence in court on Luis Rubiales’ kiss scandal, MySportDab reports.
The former Spanish football chief appeared in court today to defend himself against allegations of sexually assaulting Spanish female footballer Jennifer Hermoso during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
In viral footage that sent shock waves across the globe, Rubiales could be seen planting a kiss on Hermoso while celebrating Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph.
The footage was made with widespread condemnation with footballers and stakeholders of the sports calling for him to resign.
After a piling pressure and heavy backlash, he finally surrendered and resigned from the role but had insisted he never violated Hermoso as he asked for her consent before kissing her.
Meanwhile, Hermoso had opened up that she felt embarrassed by the kiss and never gave him her consent to do so.
The matter has been dragging with Spanish prosecutors asking for a two-and-a-half-year jail sentence for the embattled football chief.
Now, in a court session today, a lip reader reportedly testified that Luis Rubiales actually asked for Jennifer Hermoso’s consent before he kissed her.
While the submission of the lip reader could go a long way to turn the pendulum of justice in Rubiales’ favour, it is believed the embattled football chief still has a slim chance of coming out unscathed.
He has maintained his position in court that Hermoso agreed to the kiss before he proceeded but the former Barcelona Femeni player’s ‘no-consent’ declaration is expected to still dampen his chances of escaping punishment.
