Key takeaways:

• Luis Rubiales claims Jenni Hermoso consented to a kiss after Spain's World Cup victory.
• The trial has brought attention to issues of sexism in sports and the push for gender equality.
• The prosecution is seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales amid allegations of coercion.

MADRID, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales testified in court that player Jenni Hermoso consented to a kiss following Spain's historic women's World Cup win in 2023. Rubiales insisted, “I am absolutely sure that she gave me her permission,” during his court appearance where he faces serious charges of sexual assault.

During the highly publicized trial at Spain’s National Court, Rubiales described the moment as one of “spontaneity” and "an act of affection," attributing it to their longstanding relationship. However, Hermoso has categorically stated that the kiss was non-consensual, leading to widespread protests and her feelings of disrespect after the incident, which was witnessed by millions during the awards ceremony in Sydney.

Compounding the situation, former coach of the Spanish women's team Jorge Vilda testified that he sought to persuade Hermoso to downplay the incident, raising further concerns about the possible coercion involved in the football federation’s response to the fallout.

While Rubiales maintains that the interaction was consensual, he faces a potential two-and-a-half-year prison sentence as prosecutors argue he attempted to manipulate Hermoso into portraying the kiss as consensual publicly. He has publicly denied any criminal wrongdoing.

With the trial expected to conclude soon, the outcome is seen as a pivotal moment for gender equality in football and a critical step in addressing the pervasive issues of sexism in sports. The intense scrutiny and backlash against Rubiales underscore the larger cultural shift within the sporting community.

For ongoing updates, see Al Jazeera and BBC.