The ongoing investigation into the kiss between Luis Rubiales and Jenni Hermoso, along with the pressure allegedly exerted to frame the incident as consensual, continues to unfold. The focus remains on the individuals who played key roles behind the scenes, including Luis de la Fuente, the coach of the men’s national team, and Pablo García Cuervo, who formerly led Communications for the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). Their testimonies are part of a broader inquiry as witnesses are called to provide clarity on the sequence of events surrounding the World Cup final and the subsequent handling of the case.
A judge from the National Court, who is supervising the Rubiales investigation, has indicated that the case remains active and that additional statements are needed. Rubiales was suspended by FIFA for three years while the federation’s affairs were under review. Three members of his team have agreed to testify in a new round, with De la Fuente and García Cuervo among those expected to be questioned, along with Enrique Yunta, the federation’s deputy director of Communications.
In related developments, Francisco de Jorge, president of Central Educational Court No. 1, described the situation as involving the kiss at the center of public attention and the allegations linked to pressure to declare the act consensual. The focus is on the alleged coercive environment and the steps taken by officials to influence declarations and public messaging following the World Cup final held in Sydney, Australia.
Patricia Pérez, the press manager for the women’s team, has already provided testimony about the pressures she faced from federation officials. Her account contributes to a broader understanding of how communications and internal procedures were managed in the wake of the incident.
The judge’s decision to call the men’s team coach into the inquiry reflects a broader attempt to piece together the communications strategy and the sequence of statements issued by the RFEF, particularly those attributed to Jenni Hermoso in the aftermath of the World Cup victory. García Cuervo and Yunta, who attended the final, are expected to be questioned about statements issued by the federation and their attributions regarding Hermoso’s remarks.
Part of the scrutiny also covers an internal report prepared by the department under the leadership of the former Integrity Director of the RFEF, Miguel García Caba. The document, which analyzed what occurred during the World Cup final, was closed without laying out consequences for Rubiales or hearing from Hermoso directly in the process.
Patricia Pérez testified during a lengthy session that spanned about three hours within the federation’s internal procedures. She described the pressures she faced and indicated that the judge will pose questions to De la Fuente, García Cuervo, and Yunta as part of the ongoing proceedings. The investigation encompasses Rubiales as well as other figures linked to the federation who are under scrutiny for alleged coercion and related conduct surrounding the women’s team and its leadership.
Beyond Rubiales, the inquiry also encompasses other individuals previously linked to the federation, including figures connected with the women’s program who have faced questions about governance, the handling of communications, and the treatment of dissent within the organization. The process remains focused on establishing a clear record of what occurred, who influenced the messaging, and how the federation coordinated its public and internal responses during and after the World Cup campaign.
As testimonies proceed, the parties involved continue to respond to the court’s questions, and the court records show an ongoing effort to illuminate the dynamics within the RFEF during one of the most scrutinized periods in the federation’s history. The proceedings underscore the broader debate about accountability, integrity, and transparency in football governance across Spain and its national teams, with tallies of witness statements and documentary evidence guiding the next steps in the case. The public interest remains high as observers await further disclosures from officials and staff connected to the federation, the World Cup final, and the subsequent investigations into the kiss and the accompanying pressures.