The trial of controversial former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales came to an end on Friday (Feb 14) by the authorities as a verdict is expected soon. Rubiales, in the spotlight for kissing Spanish female footballer Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup presentation ceremony will soon learn the verdict. The incident was met with huge criticism leading to Rubiales’s resignation from the post of RFEF chief.

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Trail ends in Luis Rubiales kiss row

"With this, believe it or not, we are done," judge Jose Manuel Fernandez-Prieto told the court in San Fernando de Henares near Madrid after Rubiales declined his right to make a final statement.

The trial in Rubiales case started in August 2023 after the Women's FIFA World Cup in Australia. The former RFEF chief had kissed Hermoso on the lips while on their way to the presentation, sparking a brawl. The incident did not go unnoticed with Spanish authorities opening a sexual assault investigation. After an initial investigation, the case was recommended for a trial in January 2024 by the Audiencia Nacional.

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Rubiales told the court on Tuesday he was "totally sure" Hermoso consented to the kiss which was broadcast live around the world, and denied he had put pressure on her after the incident.

"She squeezed me very tightly under my armpits, she lifted me, and when I came down I asked her if I can give you a kiss, and she said 'OK', that's what happened," he said, describing the kiss as "an act of affection".

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According to the defence, video images of Hermoso celebrating and drinking champagne with her teammates in the changing room shortly after the incident prove the player was not upset by the kiss, it added.

Rubiales resigned in September 2023 after FIFA suspended him and Spanish prosecutors opened an investigation into alleged sexual assault. He had been the federation chief since 2018.