Luis Rubiales' defense team reiterated in closing arguments on Thursday that Jenni Hermoso consented to the World Cup kiss by the ex-Spanish federation boss, and said that even if the player hadn't agreed the act should not be characterized as sexual assault.
Rubiales' defense also stood by the expert testimony of a lip reader who said Rubiales asked for consent by Hermoso.
He and three other former federation officials are also accused of coercion for trying to convince Hermoso to downplay the kiss that sparked outrage in Spain and marred the celebrations of the team’s first World Cup title.
“It must be determined whether or not there was consent, but it also must be analysed the circumstances of the context of when the kiss happened and of the relationship between Hermoso and Rubiales,” Tubau said.
Accusers have said an unsolicited kiss should be considered sexual assault, according to the law, but the defense team used jurisprudence to show the context in which the act happened should be carefully analysed as well.
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