Olga Tubau made the argument as part of her closing comments in Rubiales' trial for sexual assault and coercion. He denies all charges

MADRID – The trial of Spain’s former football chief Luis Rubiales over the forced kiss he gave star forward Jenni Hermoso wrapped up on Feb 14, with a verdict expected in several weeks.

Luis Rubiales, former head of Spain’s soccer federation, disputes soccer star Jenni Hermoso’s version of the kiss.

The prosecuting lawyer in the trial of Luis Rubiales says he enforced “a code of silence” among those in senior roles at the Spanish football federation while trying to calm the storm around his behaviour at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.

Former Spain women's soccer coach Jorge Vilda told a court on Wednesday that he attempted to persuade player Jenni Hermoso to downplay the kiss on the mouth his boss Luis Rubiales gave her at the 2023 World Cup but denied he had tried to strong-arm her.

Former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales said Tuesday that he asked Women’s World Cup winner Jennifer Hermoso for permission before kissing her during the on-field medal ceremony for Spain’s victory in 2023.

Luis Rubiales' lawyer asked a Spanish court on Wednesday to acquit the ex-football chief over the kiss he gave Jenni Hermoso on the lips in 2023 that sparked global outrage. Video footage of the scandal that rocked Spanish football shows Rubiales clasping Hermoso's head at the World Cup medal ceremony and kissing her on the lips before letting her go with two slaps on the back.