MADRID: Spanish women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso confronted former soccer federation boss Luis Rubiales at his trial on Monday, saying she did not agree to the kiss that triggered a national backlash against sexism in sport.

“I knew I was being kissed by my boss and that should not happen in any social or work environment,” Hermoso said of the encounter seen live by millions around the world at the 2023 World Cup awards ceremony in Australia. “I think it was a moment that tainted one of the happiest days of my life,” the 34-year-old forward told Madrid’s High Court while Rubiales took notes without looking at her. Rubiales, 47, is accused of sexual assault and then attempting to coerce Hermoso - with the help of three other men - into declaring that the kiss had been consensual. Though he apologised for being over effusive, Rubiales denies those criminal charges and has cast himself as a scapegoat. In her testimony, Hermoso said that amid the euphoria and champagne in the dressing room, teammates initially made fun of the kiss. But she said one, Irene Paredes, intervened, saying: “Stop, this is serious.”