Rubiales was fined €10,800 (£9,206) in February for kissing captain Jenni Hermoso without her consent after Spain’s women’s team won the 2023 World Cup.

A Spanish appeals court upheld the fine, and also dismissed a separate appeal from prosecutors, who had sought a retrial and pushed for a jail sentence.

The incident – in which Rubiales grabbed Hermoso’s head and kissed her on the lips – triggered protests and calls for his resignation.

He denied the sexual assault charge, describing the kiss as an “act of affection” and “completely spontaneous”.

On Wednesday, the Audencia Nacional said it did not consider the kiss consensual, and said Hermoso had objected to it from the outset.

It found that Rubiales “restrained himself” when interacting with other players and “could also have done so, without too much effort, with the captain”.

At the original trial, Hermoso said she had not given permission for the kiss, which she felt “disrespected” her and “stained one of the happiest days” of her life.

The court upheld the sentence handed down in February, which included a ban on Rubiales going within a 200m radius of Hermoso and from communicating with her for one year.

The court also upheld the decision not to convict Rubiales of coercion.

Prosecutors had alleged he pressured Hermoso into publicly saying the kiss was consensual, which Rubiales denied.

Three other former Spanish football federation employees – coach Jorge Vila, marketing executive Rubén Rivera and sporting director Albert Luque – were previously cleared of coercion, a decision which was upheld on Wednesday.

Football’s world governing body suspended the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) from any football-related activity for three years in October 2023.

It followed a kiss on the lips of Spain player Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony after the team won the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup final.

On Friday the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed Rubiales’ appeal, external on the grounds that “the sanction imposed is reasonable and proportional”.

CAS agreed with Fifa’s appeals committee – who upheld the suspension in January 2024 – that Rubiales “behaved in a manner contrary to the principles of the Fifa Disciplinary Code”.

On Thursday, Spain’s High Court convicted Rubiales of sexual assault for kissing Hermoso, 34, without consent and fined him 10,800 euros (£8,942).

Rubiales, 47, was also banned from going within a 200m radius of the Tigres player – and from communicating with her for one year.

He was acquitted of coercion, for allegedly trying to pressure Hermoso into saying publicly that the kiss was consensual.

Rubiales resigned from his position as the RFEF president but has always maintained the kiss was consensual.

Both Rubiales and Hermoso intend to appeal the verdict.

On Thursday, Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault and ordered by Spain’s High Court to pay a fine of €10,800 (£8,942).

Rubiales was acquitted of coercion, after allegedly trying to pressure Hermoso into publicly saying that the kiss was consensual.

Hermoso’s lawyer, Angel Chavarria, said the player intended to appeal, but did not provide further details on what specifically she was appealing against, Reuters and AFP reported.

The High Court ruling also banned Rubiales from going within a 200m radius of Hermoso and from communicating with her for one year, the court said in a statement.

Prosecutors had demanded a prison sentence for Rubiales, who has also said he will appeal against the verdict.

During the 2023 World Cup, as Spain’s players received their medals after defeating England in Sydney to win, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips.

He later described the kiss as an “act of affection” and told the court that he was “absolutely sure” Hermoso had given her consent.

In her testimony earlier this month, Hermoso insisted that she had not given consent and that the incident had “stained one of the happiest days of my life”.

The incident sparked nationwide protests and calls for the resignation of Rubiales.

Three of Rubiales’s former colleagues who were also on trial, accused of colluding in the alleged coercion – Jorge Vilda, coach of the World Cup-winning side, Rubén Rivera, the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)’s former head of marketing, and Albert Luque, former sporting director – were cleared of those charges.

Rubiales, who was acquitted of coercion, was ordered to pay a fine of more than €10,000.

The episode, which overshadowed the team’s triumph in August 2023 and prompted a national and international debate on sexism and consent, resulted in Hermoso receiving death threats and eventually led Rubiales to resign as the head of the federation.

Rubiales, 47, was accused of sexual assault and of coercing Hermoso to downplay what happened after the kiss made headlines around the world. Prosecutors had sought a two-and-a-half year jail sentence – one year for sexual assault and 18 months for the alleged coercion.

Rubiales, a former player, has always insisted the kiss on Hermoso’s lips after the final in Sydney was consensual.

“I am absolutely sure that she gave me her permission,” Rubiales told the court in Madrid earlier this month. “In that moment it was something completely spontaneous.”

Three other people were also on trial for their alleged roles in pressuring Hermoso to say the kiss was consensual: the former head coach of the women’s national team Jorge Vilda; the former Spanish football federation sporting director Albert Luque; and the federation’s former marketing chief Rubén Rivera.

All three had denied the charges against them.

Giving evidence on the first day of the trial at the national court in San Fernando de Henares, near Madrid, Hermoso said she had never consented to being kissed by Rubiales, adding that he had not sought her permission to do so.

“I felt it was totally out of place and I then realised my boss was kissing me, and this shouldn’t happen in any social or workplace setting,” she said. “I felt disrespected. One of the happiest days of my life was tarnished and I think it’s very important for me to say that I never sought, much less expected, that this would happen. I think personally that it was a lack of respect.”

Hermoso told the court the kiss and its fallout had turned her life upside down, and had severely affected her family.

“Obviously, even today, I say that my life changed at that moment,” she said. “I’d spent years fighting to win titles for my team, like the World Cup, but all that’s happened to me means that I just haven’t been able to enjoy any of it from the moment I set foot back in Madrid. I’m a world champion but it seems that, even to this day, my life has been on standby. I honestly haven’t been able to live freely.”

In his evidence, Rubiales acknowledged that he had made an error of judgment but maintained that the kiss had been consensual.

“It’s obvious now that I made a mistake,” he told the court. “It was spontaneous. I behaved like a sportsperson, like I was one more member of the team. I should have been more cold-blooded and adopted a more institutional role.”

Rubiales had denied trying to coerce Hermoso into making a statement playing down the incident, saying he had suggested they make a joint statement to calm the situation. Hermoso refused, but the federation still released a statement on her behalf.

The player said the statement made her feel “that I was participating in something I hadn’t done and in which I didn’t want to participate”. The court heard testimony from Hermoso’s brother Rafael, who said Vilda had asked him on the flight back from Australia to “convince” his sister to record a video with Rubiales to show she was not bothered by the kiss.

“The last thing Mr Vilda said to me was that we should bear in mind the professional and personal consequences that all this could have for my sister,” he added.

Hermoso’s teammate Misa Rodríguez told the court the striker was “under a lot of pressure” and “started crying” shortly after Rubiales talked to her on the plane.

The public prosecutor Marta Durántez Gil told the court the evidence against Rubiales was clear.

“It was an unwanted kiss: I believe that after the examination carried out [during the trial], there is no doubt, or at least not sufficient reasonable doubt,” she said.

Rubiales had initially attempted to brush off the controversy, dismissing critics of his actions as “idiots and stupid people”. But the incident provoked global outrage, led to his being provisionally suspended by Fifa, and prompted Hermoso to make a criminal complaint accusing him of sexual assault.

Days later, amid mounting outrage over the kiss – as well as over Rubiales grabbing his crotch while standing next to Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter, Infanta Sofía as the team won the World Cup – the federation demanded that he resign.

It also sacked Vilda, who was one of many officials who had applauded a defiant speech Rubiales made to the federation in which he said “I will not resign” five times and hit out at “false feminism” while also seeking to portray himself as a victim and recast the kiss as “a peck”.

Her teammates Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, and Alexia Putellas appeared at the trial of Mr Rubiales in Madrid on Thursday, where he is accused of sexual assault and coercion.

Ms Putellas said Ms Hermoso had felt “overwhelmed” after the incident, while Ms Codina said she was “sad” and “not enjoying herself”.

Mr Rubiales kissed Ms Hermoso on the lips during the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup medal ceremony in Australia, triggering protests and calls for his resignation. He denies any wrongdoing.

Ms Hermoso had told the court on Monday she had never given permission to be kissed at the World Cup medal ceremony and felt “disrespected” as a woman.

Ms Putellas said she thought at the time the incident had been something “fortuitous” and a “misunderstanding” but Ms Hermoso then later showed her a video and said she did not know how it occurred to Mr Rubiales to kiss her, according to local Spanish media.

The court heard from Ms Paredes that while on the bus to the airport after the World Cup final, she told her teammates to stop making jokes about the incident, saying it was “serious”.

Ms Putellas said that Ms Hermoso was “overwhelmed” on the plane back to Spain.

“She started crying from exhaustion,” the Barcelona player added.

The 31-year-old said Ms Hermoso was asked to speak to Mr Rubiales on the plane who told her that she should “come out” and “deny that there was no consent” in the kiss.

“She was angry and she said that there was no need for him to explain the facts to her because she had experienced it, that she wasn’t going to do that,” Ms Putellas said.

Ms Codina told the trial that during the team’s celebratory trip to the Spanish island of Ibiza, Ms Hermoso was “sad, she was not enjoying herself, far from it” even though it “should have been the best moment” of her life.

Three colleagues of Mr Rubiales are also on trial, accused of colluding in the alleged coercion: Jorge Vilda, coach of the World Cup-winning side, Rubén Rivera, the federation’s former head of marketing, and former sporting director, Albert Luque. They all deny the charges.

On Wednesday, the court heard that Mr Vilda spoke to Rafael Hermoso – brother of Jenni Hermoso – on the flight back to Spain, telling him that Mr Rubiales feared for his position, according to local Spanish media.

Mr Vilda asked him to speak to his sister about her making a video with Ms Rubiales that would downplay the kiss.

The coach warned that his sister could face “professional and personal consequences” if she did not cooperate, Rafael Hermoso said.

Speaking in court on Monday, Ms Hermoso said she and the then-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation hugged and celebrated at the football event, saying that he then grabbed her “by the ears and kiss[ed] me on the mouth”.

“I didn’t hear or understand anything,” she said, adding that “a kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so”.

The footballer said she felt “completely abandoned by the federation”.

Prosecutors are calling for Mr Rubiales to receive a one-year prison sentence for sexual assault for the kiss.

They are also calling for him to be given a sentence of a year-and-a-half for coercion, for allegedly trying to pressure Ms Hermoso into saying publicly that the kiss was consensual.

Mr Rubiales denies the charges. The trial continues.

The Spanish world champion footballer was the first witness in Rubiales’ trial over the kiss, where he is accused of sexual assault and coercion.

She told the court in Madrid: “My boss was kissing me, and this shouldn’t happen in any social or work setting.”

Rubiales sparked major controversy when he kissed the athlete on the lips during the medal ceremony for the side’s World Cup victory in Australia, triggering protests and calls for his resignation. He denies any wrongdoing.

Hermoso told the court that she had never given permission to be kissed and felt “disrespected” as a woman.

“I greeted the queen, I greeted her daughter. The next thing was meeting Rubiales.”

Hermoso said she and the then-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation hugged and celebrated.

“The next thing he did was to grab me by the ears and kiss me on the mouth.”

“I didn’t hear or understand anything,” she said.

She went on: “A kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so”.

“No one came to ask me how I was” after the kiss, she told the trial on Monday.

The footballer said she felt “completely abandoned by the federation”.

She continued to celebrate “the greatest achievement” of her life with her teammates, Hermoso explained.

“There was no place for me to be crying or lying in the corner of the dressing room.”

The other players initially made fun of the incident before one, Irene Paredes, intervened to say: “Stop, this is serious.”

Hermoso said she was pulled aside soon after the kiss and asked to consent to a statement minimising the incident, which she refused to do.

She added that Rubiales asked her to record a video with him on the flight home because he was being accused of assault on social media.

“I said no, that I was not going to do anything, that I was not the cause of this.”

She said people were huddled around Rubiales during the flight, and that she saw his daughters crying.

Reuters: Rubiales on the first day of his trial at the National High Court

The footballer said her life had been “on stand-by” until the trial began on Monday.

She said she had received death threats that prompted her to leave Madrid with her family. She now plays club football in Mexico, as well as for Spain’s national team.

Prosecutors are calling for Rubiales, 47, to receive a one-year prison sentence for sexual assault.

They are also calling for him to be given a sentence of a year-and-a-half for coercion, for allegedly trying to pressure Hermoso into saying publicly that the kiss was consensual.

Rubiales denies the charges.

At the time, Rubiales said the kiss had been consensual and denounced a so-called witch-hunt by “fake feminism,” before resigning from his position.

Three of his former colleagues are also on trial accused of coercing Hermoso into saying the kiss was consensual.

Jorge Vilda, coach of the World Cup-winning side, Rubén Rivera, the federation’s former head of marketing, and former sporting director, Albert Luque all deny the charges.

The trial runs until 19 February.

The kiss, which Ms Hermoso said was “unwanted”, happened at last year’s 1-0 World Cup against England and made global headlines.

Mr Rubiales was forced to resign but has denied any wrongdoing.

A Spanish High Court judge said on Wednesday Mr Rubiales was also facing one charge of coercion.

The scandal overshadowed a historic moment for Spain’s women’s team, which at the time was celebrating its first ever World Cup win on 20 August 2023.

During the trophy presentation ceremony, Mr Rubiales clasped Ms Hermoso’s head between his hands and planted a kiss on her lips.

It was broadcast to billions worldwide, producing a fierce backlash and national debate over sexism in Spain.

Mr Rubiales, 46, has strenuously denied wrongdoing, saying the kiss was consensual and he was the victim of a “social assassination”.

However, Ms Hermoso and her teammates said it had been unwanted and demeaning.

Mr Rubiales faces one count of sexual assault, which carries a prison term of a year.

He will also be tried for coercion alongside the former coach of the women’s national team, Jorge Vilda, the team’s current sporting director, Albert Luque, and the federation’s head of marketing, Ruben Rivera.

All four men, who have denied wrongdoing, are accused of trying to pressure Ms Hermoso into saying the kiss was consensual.

They could each face up to 18 months in jail if convicted.

The trial will be held at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid. The date has not yet been confirmed.

The court has set a bail of €65,000 (£55,900) for Mr Rubiales’s charge of sexual assault to be paid within 24 hours to cover “any civil liabilities he may be ordered to pay”, AFP news agency reports.

A further bail of €65,000 is to be posted jointly between Mr Rubiales, Mr Vilda, Mr Luque and Mr Riveria on the charges of coercion.

Hermoso was speaking at her first international news conference since the incident, which she says was not consensual.

Spain face France on Wednesday in the inaugural Women’s Nations League final.

“I’m lucky to be back in a final after six very long months,” said Hermoso.

“Today I’m enjoying football, competing with Spain to win another tournament.”

Hermoso, 33, filed a legal complaint against Rubiales after he kissed her on the lips following Spain’s victory over England in the World Cup final in Sydney, Australia in August.

Rubiales was forced to resign in the wake of the incident and has subsequently been banned from all football-related activity by Fifa for three years, a ruling which was upheld last month when the 46-year-old tried to appeal.

The incident set off a wave of global anger at sexism at the highest levels of women’s sport and led to boycotts of the national team by Spain’s players as they called for changes to be made to women’s football in the country.

“A lot has happened since then,” said Hermoso on Tuesday.

“It has been a hard process, of understanding many things. I’m still playing football and the only thing I want is to continue enjoying myself wearing this shirt”.

Hermoso, who plays her domestic football for Tigres in Mexico, returned to the national side in October and scored an 89th-minute winner against Italy in the Nations League group stage.

“For me it’s very important to play in another final, to continue here, I feel good, football continues to give me the life I need, I want to continue enjoying games with my national team and with my Tigres team, and I continue to enjoy this sport,” said Hermoso.

“If we win tomorrow, Spain will have made history again.”

By reaching the final of the tournament, Spain have also qualified for the summer’s Paris Olympics.

“From lifting the World Cup to the Games, we are making a lot of history in a short time, and what better than a team feeling like champions in every sense,” she said.

“Tomorrow we have another chance to show that Spain is here to stay and do very good things.”

But while the incident at the World Cup sparked international outrage, Spain’s Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati said her nation winning the trophy has not “served a purpose” when it comes to changing the landscape of the international women’s team.

“Unfortunately I can’t say a lot of things have changed,” Bonmati told French sports newspaper L’Equipe.

“We have the example of the English, when they won the Euros, we saw a real change following their success at a nationwide level.

“It had repercussions, and there was more investment in the domestic league. The stadiums are full when England play. It makes me jealous because I can’t say the same thing has happened here.

“There are still so many things to do here and I have the impression that the World Cup has not served any purpose.”

World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda was also sacked in September and is still being investigated as part of the criminal case against Rubiales.

Mr Rubiales grabbed Ms Hermoso’s head and kissed her during the presentation after Spain’s victory in Australia.

She said the kiss was “not consensual”, a statement denied by Mr Rubiales.

A judge has found there is enough evidence for the matter to proceed to trial.

During a hearing in Madrid, the judge described the kiss as “not consensual and… a unilateral and surprising initiative”, according to a statement from the court cited by the Reuters news agency.

Prosecutors previously charged Mr Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion.

Penalties for such a kiss range from a fine to four years in prison.

The incident has involved several Spanish football executives including Ms Hermoso’s former coach, a former marketing manager and the sports director of the men’s team.

Jorge Vilda, Rubén Rivera and Albert Luque are accused of pressuring Ms Hermoso to say publicly the kiss had been consensual.

The judge in Madrid has said the trio should also stand trial.

Lawyers involved in the proceedings now have 10 days to make a formal trial request before a court.

Ms Hermoso, Spain’s top scorer, testified before the court investigating her allegation for more than two-and-a-half hours earlier in January.

According to Spanish media, she said the kiss was “unexpected and at no time consensual”.

A statement issued shortly after the final that was attributed to Ms Hermoso had indicated the kiss had been consensual. But she later complained of being pressured by officials of the Spanish Football Federation to put her name to the statement.

The kiss took place during the medal ceremony in Sydney on 20 August last year, following Spain’s win over England.

Mr Rubiales has always maintained the kiss was a “consensual peck”, but in the wake of the incident, he was forced to resign as president of the Spanish football federation.

It set off a wave of global anger at sexism at the highest levels of women’s sport.

He grabbed Ms Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips after the World Cup final last year.

A judge will now decide whether Mr Rubiales should be tried for sexual assault and coercion.

“All is in the hands of justice, that’s all I can say,” she told reporters.

The former federation chief denies the allegations.

Ms Hermoso, Spain’s top scorer, testified to the court for around two and a half hours, and according to Spanish media she told the judge the kiss was “unexpected and at no time consensual”.

Her evidence was said to have reiterated testimony given several months ago to prosecutors that was then leaked to Spanish TV,

The court is examining evidence including CCTV footage to decide whether to take her criminal complaint of sexual assault and coercion to trial.

The kiss took place during the medal ceremony in Sydney on 20 August last year, following Spain’s win over England.

A statement issued shortly after the final that was attributed to Ms Hermoso had indicated the kiss had been consensual. But she later complained of being pressured by officials of the Spanish Football Federation to put her name to the statement.

Mr Rubiales is being investigated for possible coercion over his role in the alleged pressure on Ms Hermoso.

Jorge Vilda, the coach who led the team to World Cup glory before being sacked shortly afterwards, is also being investigated along with Albert Luque and Rubén Rivera, both federation executives.

Ms Hermoso said she did not want to be kissed and that she felt that she had been a “victim of assault”. Under Spanish law a kiss without consent can be deemed a form of sexual assault.

Mr Rubiales has always maintained the kiss was a “consensual peck” but in the wake of the incident he was forced to resign as president of the Spanish football federation.

Prosecutors opened an investigation and last September he was barred by investigating judge Francisco de Jorge from going within 200m (650ft) of the footballer.

In a statement to prosecutors leaked to Spanish TV in October, Ms Hermoso said that “clearly I felt disrespected” as a player and a person.

“I didn’t do anything to land myself in that situation… how could I expect it in that scenario of a medal ceremony at a World Cup final?”

Ms Hermoso, 33, announced on Monday that she was changing clubs. She is leaving Mexico’s Pachuca, where she has played since 2022, for Tigres UANL, the country’s most successful women’s side.

Her role in the controversy has made her a prominent public figure beyond the football world.

On New Year’s Eve, she was a guest of national broadcaster TVE. She said she was grateful for “this change we are bringing about in terms of equality and solidarity”, and she congratulated her Spain teammates for “the empowerment we have achieved”.

The kiss, which Hermoso says was not consensual, occurred after the Spain forward helped her country beat England in the final in August.

The incident sparked outcry and Rubiales eventually resigned as Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president.

“These weeks have been very difficult,” Hermoso told GQ magazine in Spain.

“Having to tell it over and over again was hurting me a lot. But I know I had to let it go somehow.

“I continue working on it with the help of my psychologist, who I have been with for many years.

“For me, mental health is as important as daily training and the hours I have to sleep to be able to go out on the field. Thanks to her I feel strong and I’m not shattered or thinking about not wanting to play football anymore. I have not lost my enthusiasm.”

Rubiales was banned from going within 200 metres of Hermoso after she filed a legal complaint.

At a court case in Madrid, the former federation president denied sexually assaulting and coercing Hermoso.

Rubiales has also been banned from all football-related activities for three years by Fifa.

Hermoso added: “I’ve had to assume the consequences of an act that I did not provoke, that I had not chosen or premeditated.

“I have received threats, and that is something you never get used to.”

Spain’s World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda was sacked in September and is being investigated as part of the criminal case against Rubiales. He has since been appointed manager of the Morocco women’s national team.

Montse Tome took over as the new Spain manager and said she left Hermoso out of Nations League fixtures in September to “protect” the player.

The 33-year-old was then named in the squad to face Italy and Switzerland in the Nations League in October.

Hermoso came on as a 68th-minute substitute against Italy and marked her return by scoring an 89th-minute winner.

The actions of Rubiales led to the creation of the hashtag #SeAcabo – which translates as ‘It’s over’ – in support of Hermoso and taking aim at the sexism the incident was seen to embody by some.

Asked how she wanted to be remembered, Hermoso said: “As someone who has wanted to leave Spain at the top but, above all, as someone who has tried to change many attitudes.

“For better or worse, this story exists. I am going to learn to take advantage of it positively to fight for what I believe is good for society. The #SeAcabo movement must bring a new era.

“These last few months, with everything that has happened, my mind has wandered a little from football. At times I didn’t remember that I was a footballer. But I go back to training, onto the pitch, put on my kit, and I want to give the best version of myself again.”

The kiss, which forward Hermoso says was not consensual, sparked outcry and Rubiales eventually resigned as Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president.

Rubiales, whose actions overshadowed Spain’s World Cup win in August, was also given a restraining order.

Spain will face Italy and Switzerland in the Nations League later this month.

Their World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda was sacked in September and is being investigated as part of the criminal case against Rubiales, and has since been appointed manager of the Morocco women’s team.

Rubiales was banned from going within 200 metres of Hermoso after she filed a legal complaint.

At a court case in Madrid, the former federation president has denied sexually assaulting and coercing Hermoso.

When new head coach Montse Tome named a squad for the Nations League fixtures in September it included 15 members of the World Cup-winning side, but Hermoso was left out, with Tome saying it was “to protect her”.

After the squad for Spain’s Nations League matches on 27 and 31 October was announced on Wednesday, Tome told a news conference she had explained to Hermoso why she was omitted from the previous squad.

“After the camp we got in touch. Maybe that opened the door to speculation, but at the time there was no problem with her. We didn’t call her up because we thought it was the best thing for her,” Tome said.

“I have noticed her improvement. We are excited to see her, for her to return to training and to start thinking about the future as our goal is to be in the Olympic Games.”

The Spanish players threatened a boycott of last month’s friendly against Sweden – their first match since the World Cup final – but called it off after reaching an agreement with the RFEF, which said it had committed to “immediate and profound changes”.

Instead, the players of both the Sweden and Spain teams stood together holding a banner reading “se acabo” which translates to English as “it’s over” and wore wristbands bearing the same phrase.

A week later, at their first home match since the World Cup, they stood alongside the Switzerland players with the same banner.

Tome said “changes have been made” within the RFEF and that the relationship between the staff and players is “good and professional”.

Hermoso, who has made 101 appearances for Spain and scored 51 goals, returned to her domestic team, Pachuca in Mexico, in September and her statement to prosecutors in court in Madrid last month has since been made public.

She told prosecutors that she felt “disrespected” as a player and a person and that her image has been tarnished by the RFEF.

Full Spain squad

Goalkeepers: Misa Rodriguez, Cata Coll, Enith Salon

Defenders: Ona Batlle, Oihane Hernandez, Irene Paredes, Ivana Andres, Laia Aleixandri, Maria Mendez, Olga Carmona

Midfielders: Tere Abelleira, Maite Oroz, Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, Anna Torroda

Forwards: Salma Paralluelo, Jenni Hermoso, Mariona Caldentey, Inma Gabarro, Amaiur Sarriegi, Athenea Del Castillo, Ester Gonzalez, Lucia Garcia

This is the first time that Ms Hermoso’s account has been heard in her own words, and she tells the prosecutors that “clearly I felt disrespected” as a player and a person.

Luis Rubiales has denied sexually assaulting and coercing the footballer.

He eventually resigned over the outcry.

An investigating judge is now carrying out a preliminary investigation to decide whether the accusations should go to trial. The National Court has since increased the scope of its inquiry to include other officials in the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

In her statement, recorded in the prosecutors’ office early in September and broadcast by commercial channel Telecinco, Ms Hermoso complains that her image has been tarnished by the Spanish Football Federation. “As an employee of that federation, no-one protected me,” she said.

She recounts what happened as Spain’s players celebrated winning the Women’s World Cup in Sydney, Australia, last August, when their victory became overshadowed by the federation president’s kiss.

She describes hugging Luis Rubiales and telling him: “We’ve done it.” She then says he told her the victory was “thanks to her”, put his hands on her head and kissed her on the lips, and that she remembers nothing else.

“I didn’t expect it,” she is heard saying. “I didn’t do anything to land myself in that situation… how could I expect it in that scenario of a medal ceremony at a World Cup final?”

At one point in her testimony, Ms Hermoso breaks down when she explains the pressure she has since come under, to the extent of “having to leave Madrid so as to avoid that pressure”.

Ms Hermoso, 33, recalls immediately telling team-mates Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes what had happened in the stadium, but that she had been careful to avoid doing anything to steal the limelight.

However, even before the team left the stadium, she says football federation officials approached her and then asked her to get off the team bus during the journey to sign a press statement for the world’s media indicating the kiss was mutual.

“I didn’t say a single word of that text,” she said. “I felt coerced again.”

Asked about a video that appeared showing her team-mates joking about the kiss on the bus, she said only a few of them had seen the images and there was no way she could have gone to “start crying in the corner” to break the mood of celebration.

Ms Hermoso is also heard explaining how Luis Rubiales approached her on the plane home, asking her to appear in a video with him, for the sake of his two daughters who were crying.

When the former federation president resigned last month, he maintained the kiss was mutual and consensual and had faith that the truth would prevail.

Monday night’s broadcast came hours before former team coach Jorge Vilda appeared on Tuesday before a judge investigating whether he was part of an attempt to exert pressure on the Spain forward to say the kiss was consensual.

Mr Vilda has denied seeking to coerce Ms Hermoso and argues that he did not witness the kiss, because he was at the back of the group receiving their winners’ medals.

However, he has admitted speaking to her brother on the flight from Sydney to Madrid when he realised she was unhappy, Spanish media report.

The pressure from federation figures appears to have continued after the team returned to Spain. When they went on a celebratory trip to Ibiza, she says that two more officials became involved and sought to use her family and a friend to talk to her.

The RFEF’s marketing director, Rubén Rivera, was also due to appear before the judge on Tuesday. He too has denied trying to persuade the footballer or her brother to absolve Luis Rubiales from any blame, reports say.

Last month, Ms Hermoso, who is a native of Madrid, returned to Mexican club Pachuca, where she has become an important figure in Mexico’s Liga MX.

After most of Spain’s World Cup winning squad were selected for upcoming games earlier on Monday, the players said they would continue their boycott, which came after Luis Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation ceremony in Australia.

Should the players refuse the call-up they could face fines of up 30 000 euros ($32 000) and the suspension of their federation licence for two to 15 years under Spain’s Sports Act.

Victor Francos, the head of Spain’s government national sports agency, told SER radio station if the players did not show up “the government must apply the law”.

Hermoso, who was not called up for the squad, said the players had been “caught by surprise” by the call-ups and were forced to react to “another unfortunate situation caused by the people who continue to make decision within the RFEF”.

“The players are certain that this is yet another strategy of division and manipulation to intimidate and threaten us with legal repercussion and economic sanctions,” the 33-year-old striker said in a statement posted on X social media.

“It is yet more irrefutable proof that shows that even today, nothing has changed.”

The RFEF did not respond immediately to a request for comment outside normal business hours.

The federation said in a statement earlier on Monday it was convinced of the need for “structural changes” and had to clarify who was responsible for the behaviour the players had brought to light.

Montse Tome, who has replaced Jorge Vilda as coach of the national team, suggested Hermoso was left out of the squad because of the intense media attention she had received in the past month.

“We stand with Jenni … we believe that the best way to protect her is like this, but we are counting on Jenni,” Tome said.

Hermoso asked who she needed protection from.

“A claim was made today stating that the environment within the federation would be safe for my colleagues to rejoin yet at the press conference it was announced that they were not calling me as a means to protect me,” she said.

“Protect me from what? And from whom?”

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Hermoso, 33, said the kiss after Spain beat England was not consensual and she filed a legal complaint last Tuesday.

Rubiales said he had submitted his resignation to federation acting president Pedro Rocha in a statement.

“I cannot continue my work,” he told Piers Morgan on his television show.

The 46-year-old has also resigned from his position as vice-president of Uefa’s executive committee.

The fallout from the kiss has engulfed Spanish football in recent weeks and overshadowed Spain’s World Cup win, with Rubiales ignoring repeated calls to resign.

On Friday, a prosecutor filed a complaint with Spain’s high court – following Hermoso’s testimony on Tuesday – against Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion.

Rubiales claimed the kiss was “mutual and “consensual” but had been provisionally suspended by football’s world governing body Fifa.

“After the quick suspension carried out by Fifa, plus the rest of open proceedings against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position,” Rubiales’ statement read.

“Insisting on waiting and holding on is not going to contribute to anything positive, neither to the federation nor to Spanish football.”

Rubiales said he hoped his departure would boost Spain’s joint bid with Morocco and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup.

He added: “I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power to prevail.

“My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth is prevailing.”

Some 81 Spain players, including all 23 World Cup winners, said they would not play for the national team again while Rubiales was in his position.

World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda – considered a close ally of Rubiales – was sacked on 5 September amid the scandal, with Montse Tome named as his successor.

Politicians, footballers and celebrities have spoken out against Rubiales, while protesters gathered at the federation’s headquarters last month to demand his resignation.

Spain’s acting Labour minister, Yolanda Diaz, posted on X (formerly Twitter): “The feminist country is advancing faster and faster.

“The transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all women.”

Irene Montero, Spain’s equality minister, added: “It’s over.”

Asked by Morgan whether something in particular finally led him to resign, Rubiales said he spoke to his family and listened to the advice of friends.

“My father, my daughters, I spoke with them – they know it’s not a question about me – and some friends very close to me said to me ‘Luis, you need to focus on your dignity and to continue your life because if not, you are going to damage people you love and the sport you love’,” Rubiales said.

“This was a question of not only me. An attitude towards me can affect third parties [that are] very important. It was the intelligent thing that I had to do.”

On Sunday, Hermoso received a warm welcome from supporters and team-mates of her domestic club, Pachuca, before their 2-1 win against Pumas in the Liga MX women’s league in Mexico.

The 33-year-old unveiled a mural on the walls of the Hidalgo Stadium celebrating her achievements with Spain in the Women’s World Cup, and was also given a framed jersey with her number 10 on it.

Rubiales awaits high court decision

Hermoso’s complaint was one of sexual assault but Marta Durantez Gil has also added an allegation of coercion when filing to the high court after the forward told the prosecutor her relatives had been pressured by Rubiales and his “professional entourage” to say she “justified and approved what happened”.

It is now up to the court to present formal charges against Rubiales.

Prior to the kiss, Rubiales had been seen grabbing his crotch in the proximity of Queen Letizia and her daughter while celebrating Spain’s 1-0 win over England in Sydney.

A high court judge will now assess the complaint and decide whether to accept or archive the request. If accepted, a magistrate will be assigned to lead an investigation, which will conclude either with a recommendation for the case to go to trial or be dismissed.

The charge of sexual assault under Spanish law can carry a punishment ranging from a fine to four years in prison.

“The high court often tackles crimes with an international dimension, such as terrorism or organised crime. It is involved in this case because the alleged assault by Mr Rubiales took place in Australia,” BBC Madrid correspondent Guy Hedgecoe explained.

Spanish prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation on 28 August, looking into whether the incident amounts to a crime of sexual assault.

At the time, Spain’s top criminal court said it was opening its investigation in light of the “unequivocal nature” of 33-year-old Hermoso’s statements, saying it was necessary “to determine their legal significance”.

Earlier this month, Spain’s national sports tribunal (TAD) opened a misconduct case against him, ruling he had committed a “serious offence” by kissing Hermoso.

However, the TAD stopped short of the “very serious offence” the government had requested, that would have led to his suspension.

Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s World Cup final win, which she says was not consensual.

Rubiales claims the kiss was “mutual and “consensual”, but has been provisionally suspended by football’s world governing body Fifa.

The complaint means the 46-year-old could face criminal charges.

On 29 August, Spanish prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation into whether the incident amounts to a crime of sexual assault.

At the time, Spain’s top criminal court said it was opening its investigation in light of the “unequivocal nature” of 33-year-old Hermoso’s statements, saying it was necessary “to determine their legal significance”.

“Given the public statements made by Jennifer Hermoso, the sexual act she was subjected to by Luis Rubiales was not consensual,” a statement said.

It added that legal experts would also contact her “to offer her the option of legal action, giving her the chance to contact National Court prosecutors within 15 days for information about her rights as a victim of an alleged sexual assault should she wish to file a complaint”.

The statement added: “In order to proceed with a case for sexual assault, harassment or sexual abuse, it will be necessary for the injured party or their legal representative to file suit, or the public prosecutors’ office.”

It is reported Hermoso filed her complaint on Tuesday.

Rubiales, who prior to the kiss had been seen grabbing his crotch while celebrating Spain’s 1-0 win over England, has repeatedly refused to resign from his position.

On Friday, Spain’s national sports tribunal (TAD) opened a misconduct case against him, ruling he had committed a “serious offence” by kissing Hermoso.

However, the TAD stopped short of the “very serious offence” the government had requested which would have led to his suspension.

Some 81 Spain players, including all 23 World Cup winners, have said they will not play for the team again while Rubiales is in charge.

They are due to play in Uefa Nations League qualifying later this month, with fixtures against Sweden and Switzerland on 22 and 26 September.

On Tuesday, Spain’s World Cup-winning head coach Jorge Vilda – considered a close ally of Rubiales – was sacked, with Montse Tome named as his successor.

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Rubiales, 46, has been widely criticised after the incident following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win.

Hermoso, 33, said the kiss on her lips was not consensual.

Earlier, Spanish prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation into whether the incident amounts to a crime of sexual assault.

In other developments on Monday, Rubiales’ mother Angeles Bejar locked herself in a Spanish church and went on a hunger strike in protest of the treatment of her son. In the evening, hundreds of people gathered in the centre of Madrid in protests called by feminist groups in support of Hermoso and against Rubiales.

Rubiales was suspended on Saturday by world football’s governing body Fifa, a day after he had insisted he would not resign and claimed the kiss was “mutual and consensual”.

“After recent events and the unacceptable behaviour that has seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the presidents request that Luis Rubiales resign immediately as president of the RFEF,” the federation (RFEF) said in a statement on Monday, after an extraordinary meeting of its regional presidents.

The presidents also gave their “unanimous support” to interim RFEF chief Pedro Rocha and called for an overhaul of the federation’s management.

“We will urge the relevant authorities to carry out a profound and imminent organisational restructuring in strategic positions of the federation in order to make way for a new stage in the management of Spanish football,” the statement added.

When Fifa announced Rubiales had been suspended on Saturday, it ordered him, the RFEF and its officials and employees not to attempt to contact Hermoso, whom the RFEF had threatened with legal action earlier that day.

Meanwhile, Spain’s Sports Tribunal (TAD) also met on Monday to discuss the Spanish government’s request to suspend Rubiales, with a decision yet to be announced.

Protestors applaud during a demonstration called by feminist associations in support of Spain’s midfielder Jenni Hermoso

Preliminary investigation opened

Spain’s top criminal court said it was opening its investigation in light of the “unequivocal nature” of Hermoso’s statements, saying it was necessary “to determine their legal significance”.

“Given the public statements made by Jennifer Hermoso, the sexual act she was subjected to by Luis Rubiales was not consensual,” a statement said.

Legal experts will also contact the player “to offer her the option of legal action, giving her the chance to contact National Court prosecutors within 15 days for information about her rights as a victim of an alleged sexual assault should she wish to file a complaint”.

The statement added: “In order to proceed with a case for sexual assault, harassment or sexual abuse, it will be necessary for the injured party or their legal representative to file suit, or the public prosecutors’ office.”

Rubiales’ mother goes on hunger strike

The church in Motril has become the centre of media activity

Rubiales’ mother Angeles Bejar has locked herself in the Divina Pastora church in Motril on the southern Spanish coast – the town where her son was raised – and says she has gone on a hunger strike because of the “inhuman hunt” against him.

She told Spanish news agency EFE the strike would continue “indefinite, day and night” – and added the “inhuman and bloody hunt that they are doing with my son is something he does not deserve”.

Rubiales’ cousin Vanessa Ruiz, who acts as a family spokesperson in Motril, said: “We are suffering a lot for him. He has been judged before his time.

“They [the media] don’t stop harassing us. We had to leave our house. We want them to leave us alone and for Jenni to tell the truth. It’s not fair.”

‘Male chauvinism systemic in Spain’

Spain’s acting labour minister Yolanda Diaz said on Monday that male chauvinism was “systemic” in the country and had been shown in its worst form in the incident involving Rubiales.

Diaz, who is also deputy prime minister and head of the far-left Sumar coalition, called for social attitudes to change more generally in the country – and for victims of sexual harassment and violence to be better protected. “On Friday we saw the worst of Spanish society, of the structural machismo of this country,” she said after meeting with representatives of the women’s players’ union Futpro, which represents Hermoso.

“They clapped and humiliated and made fun of a person they had the obligation to protect under the sports law and far from doing that, they inflicted more damage, more pain, more vexation.”

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The prosecutors are looking into whether the incident amounts to a crime of sexual assault.

Rubiales, 46, has been widely criticised after the incident following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win.

Hermoso, 33, said the kiss was not consensual.

Rubiales was suspended on Saturday by world football’s governing body Fifa.

The previous day, Rubiales had insisted he would not resign.

The Prosecutor’s Office says it has started the investigation because “the sexual act was not consented”.

According to a statement, received by the AFP news agency from the Spanish national court, “prosecutors from the national court have opened a preliminary investigation to look into the facts, which could constitute an offence of sexual assault”.

The statement indicated the court would offer Hermoso a chance to file a lawsuit.

The Spanish government has asked for Spain’s Sports Tribunal (TAD) to suspend him – a request which will be discussed at a TAD meeting on Monday.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has also called regional federations to an “extraordinary and urgent” meeting on Monday “to evaluate the situation in which the federation finds itself”.

When it announced Rubiales had been suspended on Saturday, Fifa ordered him, the RFEF and its officials and employees not to attempt to contact Hermoso, who the RFEF had threatened with legal action earlier that day.

Rubiales’ mother Angeles Bejar has locked herself in the Divina Pastora church in Motril on the southern Spanish coast – the town where her son was raised – and has gone on a hunger strike because of the “inhuman hunt” against him.

She told Spanish news agency EFE the strike would continue “indefinite, day and night” – and added the “inhuman and bloody hunt that they are doing with my son is something he does not deserve”.

Rubiales’ cousin Vanessa Ruiz, who acts as a family spokesperson in Motril, said: “We are suffering a lot for him. He has been judged before his time.

“They (the media) don’t stop harassing us. We had to leave our house. We want them to leave us alone and for Jenni to tell the truth. It’s not fair.”

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Rubiales has refused to resign after kissing forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win over England in Sydney.

The federation also says it will take legal action over Hermoso’s “lies”.

But Fifa has opted to “provisionally suspend Mr Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level”.

Fifa opened disciplinary proceedings against the 46-year-old on Thursday.

“This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings,” Fifa added.

Fifa has also ordered Rubiales or any representative of the federation (RFEF) to refrain from attempting to contact Hermoso, 33.

The RFEF said in an earlier statement it had tried to contact Hermoso, who is Spain’s leading women’s goalscorer with 51 from 101 appearances but had “been unsuccessful at all times”.

Earlier, a senior figure at the RFEF said he has stepped down from his position.

“I have presented my resignation after seeing that Luis Rubiales continues to head the Spanish federation,” said vice-president Rafael del Amo.

“I owe a lot of things to Luis but what happened in the final is unacceptable.”

Aintzane Encinas, who played for Spanish club Real Sociedad for 13 seasons and is now a coach, told the BBC it was time that things changed.

“I think it’s a very, very important moment for Spanish football, and also for world football,” she said.

“Football is an incredible tool for transforming society, to showcase values like respect, ability and equality – we must use it.

“We all stand with Jenni Hermoso – the whole world is speaking out about what’s happening. We are united in this, and that makes me very proud.”

Federation president Luis Rubiales has been suspended by Fifa after kissing forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup win.

Hermoso, 33, has said the kiss after last Sunday’s game was not consensual.

Maria Dolores Martinez Madrona, the protocol’s protection delegate, said the matter is now being investigated.

“Our protocol is currently activated and in the midst of investigating the events, thus we demand the utmost respect for the right to privacy and dignity of all individuals involved,” she said in a letter published by the federation (RFEF).

“As the protection delegate for sexual violence, my duty is to adhere to the protocol and safeguard the privacy of those affected by this incident and of the Sexual Violence Advisory Committee.”

The protocol is activated once a complaint is submitted and means the protection delegate, a position currently held by female referee Madrona, will investigate and send her findings to the Sexual Violence Advisory Committee.

The RFEF has also called regional federations to an “extraordinary and urgent” meeting on Monday “to evaluate the situation in which the federation finds itself”.

When it announced it had suspended Rubiales on Saturday, Fifa ordered him, the RFEF and its officials or employees to not attempt to contact Hermoso, who the REFF had threatened with legal action earlier that day.

Despite widespread criticism and pressure to resign, 46-year-old Rubiales vowed to “fight until the end” while addressing an extraordinary general assembly called by the RFEF on Friday.

Victor Francos, Spain’s secretary of sport and head of the state-run National Sports Council, then said the government had started legal proceedings seeking to suspend Rubiales, “so that he has to give explanations before the Sport Court (TAD)”.

Spanish sports minister Miquel Iceta told newspaper El Pais: “We are going to ask the TAD to meet on Monday. If the TAD accepts the government’s complaint, we will immediately proceed with the suspension of the functions of president.”

Rubiales has refused to resign after kissing forward Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win over England in Sydney.

Hermoso said on Friday she did not consent, but the federation has questioned her version of events.

“The evidence is conclusive,” it said. “Mr President has not lied.”

In a statement by players’ union Futpro, which is representing 33-year-old Hermoso, she is quoted as saying “in no case did I seek to raise (lift) the president” while they embraced on the podium.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said: “The RFEF and Mr President will demonstrate each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable, by the player herself.

“The RFEF and the President, given the seriousness of the content of the press release from the Futpro union, will initiate the corresponding legal actions.”

The federation also said that, if selected, players have “an obligation” to play for the national team, after 81 female players said they will not represent Spain until Rubiales is removed from his post.

Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias has also said he will not play for the men’s national team again while Rubiales is in charge.

In its statement, the RFEF provided four images of Hermoso’s embrace with Rubiales, with an analysis of each, which it claims demonstrates that she applied the force to lift Rubiales’ feet off the ground.

The federation says it has tried to contact Hermoso, who is Spain’s leading women’s goalscorer with 51 from 101 appearances, but have “been unsuccessful at all times”.

Rubiales has refused to resign after kissing forward Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win over England in Sydney.

The Spanish government started legal proceedings seeking to suspend the 46-year-old, while Fifa has also launched disciplinary proceedings.

Rubiales had been widely expected to resign at an extraordinary general assembly called by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), but instead said “I don’t deserve this manhunt”.

He added: “It was a spontaneous kiss. Mutual, euphoric and consensual. That’s the key. A consensual ‘peck’ is enough to get me out of here?”

But a statement released by players’ union Futpro included quotes from Pachuca’s Hermoso, which read: “I want to clarify, that at no time did I consent to the kiss. I don’t tolerate that my word is questioned, much less that words are invented that I haven’t said.”

The statement was signed by a host of players, including all 23 members of the squad which just won the World Cup.

It read: “After everything that happened during the delivery of medals of the Women’s World Cup, we want to state that all the players who sign this letter will not return to a call for the national team if the current leaders continue.”

Spain’s next game is against Sweden in the Nations League on 22 September.

Borja Iglesias, who plays for Real Betis, said earlier on Friday he would not play for the men’s national team again while Rubiales is in charge.

The Spanish government will ask Rubiales to explain himself to a Spanish court as soon as possible, secretary of sport Victor Francos said earlier on Friday.

If the administrative court deems he violated the professional sports code, he could then be suspended.

Meanwhile, Fifa will look at whether his actions constitute violations of Article 13 in its disciplinary code, concerning offensive behaviour and fair play.

Spanish football federation president Rubiales kissed forward Hermoso following Spain’s 1-0 win over England in Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final.

Rubiales apologised on Monday and said he was “completely wrong”.

“What we saw was an unacceptable gesture,” prime minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday.

“Rubiales’ apologies are not enough, I even think they are not adequate. He has to continue taking steps to clarify what we all saw.

“The players did everything to win but Rubiales’ behaviour shows that there is still a long way to go for equality.”

Spain’s second deputy prime minister, Yolanda Diaz, Spain’s called for Rubiales’ resignation.

“Their excuses are useless,” she said.”[The Spain squad] have shown us many things about equality, not only in sports and football.

“They have shown us that there is still a lot to do in our country, that there is still a lot to do so that men and women can become equal.”

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) has called an extraordinary general assembly “as a matter of urgency”.

Hermoso said on Instagram that she “didn’t like” Rubiales’ actions after the final, but a statement released later on the Spain forward’s behalf defended him.

In a video released on Monday, Rubiales said: “It was without bad intention at a time with a lot of excitement. In the moment, we saw it as natural, but outside a commotion has formed.

“I have to apologise, learn from this, and understand that when you are president you have to be more careful.”

Rubiales has also been criticised by other Spanish government ministers and came under fire on social media for grabbing and kissing Hermoso.

Spain’s equalities minister Irene Montero said: “It’s a form of sexual violence women suffer on a daily basis”, while sports minister Miquel Iceta told Spanish public radio it was “unacceptable” for Rubiales to kiss Hermoso.

Video footage circulated online after the match also showed Rubiales, who was sat in the VIP area of the stadium near Fifa President Gianni Infantino and Queen Letizia of Spain, grab his groin as he celebrated the final whistle.

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Rubiales kissed the Spain forward during the presentation ceremony following the team’s 1-0 win over England in Sunday’s final.

“I didn’t like it,” Hermoso said on Instagram, but a statement released later on her behalf defended Rubiales.

On Monday, Rubiales said: “I was completely wrong, I have to admit it.”

He added: “It was without bad intention at a time with a lot of excitement. In the moment, we saw it as natural, but outside a commotion has formed.

“I have to apologise, learn from this, and understand that when you are president you have to be more careful.”

Rubiales had been criticised by some Spanish government ministers and come under fire on social media.

Spain’s equalities minister Irene Montero said: “It’s a form of sexual violence women suffer on a daily basis.”

Montero added that up to now it had been “invisible” and that it is something “we can’t normalise”.

“We should not assume kissing without consent is something ‘that happens’,” she said.

Spain’s sports minister Miquel Iceta told Spanish public radio it was “unacceptable” for Rubiales to kiss Hermoso, adding: “The first thing he has to do is to give explanations and make apologies, it is the logical and reasonable thing to do.”

In a statement released by the Spanish football federation, following the player’s initial comment about disliking the kiss, Hermoso said the moment was a “natural gesture of affection”.

“It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that winning a World Cup brings,” said the 31-year-old, who is Spain’s all-time leading scorer.

Video footage circulated online after the match also showed Rubiales, who was sat in the VIP area of the stadium near Fifa president Gianni Infantino and Queen Letzia of Spain, grab his groin in as he celebrated the final whistle.

Rubiales’ actions were heavily criticised on social media, with ‘dimision ya’ – ‘resign now’ in English – trending on X, formerly known as Twitter, in Spain.

Rubiales told Spanish broadcaster COPE it was “a kiss between two friends celebrating something” and those who saw it differently were “idiots and stupid people”.

“Let’s ignore them and enjoy the good things,” he added, before offering a different view on Monday.

Spanish newspaper El Pais ran the headline “Jenni didn’t like Rubiales’ kiss, neither did we”.

Spain won the World Cup despite controversy over coach Jorge Vilda, who survived a player revolt to keep his job.

The RFEF said in September 2022 that 15 players had submitted identical emails saying they would not play for Vilda unless “significant” concerns over their “emotional state” and “health” were addressed.

However, the RFEF continued to back Vilda and posted ‘VILDA IN’ on Spain’s official X account after their World Cup triumph.

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