The brother of Jenni Hermoso and one of her teammates have told a judge there were attempts to pressure the player into downplaying the unsolicited kiss by former Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales in the awards presentation ceremony following the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

By Guillermo Martinez and Michael Francis Gore MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - The trial began on Monday of Spain's former soccer federation boss Luis Rubiales over his 2023 kiss with World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso that triggered a backlash against sexism in sport.

Footballer Jenni Hermoso said Luis Rubiales was “disrespectful” when he kissed her after Spain’s 2023 World Cup victory and had “tainted one of the happiest days of my life”, a Madrid court heard on Monday.