Jorge Vilda, the former coach of Spain women’s soccer team, has told a judge that ex-soccer federation president Luis Rubiales did not ask him to put pressure on Jenni Hermoso following the outcry that erupted after Rubiales kissed the player.

Former Spain women's soccer coach Jorge Vilda told a court on Wednesday that he attempted to persuade player Jenni Hermoso to downplay the kiss on the mouth his boss Luis Rubiales gave her at the 2023 World Cup but denied he had tried to strong-arm her.

Jenni Hermoso and Luis Rubiales appeared in court in Madrid on Monday, Feb. 3. Rubiales is on trial for alleged sexual assault over him kissing Hermoso on the lips at the 2023 World Cup Final, according to reports.

Spain women’s coach Montse Tomé told a judge Monday she was not trying to punish Jenni Hermoso by omitting her from the national team in the fallout of the kiss by former soccer federation president Luis Rubiales.

Jorge Vilda, who is on trial on charges of attempting to coerce Jenni Hermoso into publicly saying the kiss was consensual, said he was worried it was gathering a lot of media attention

Former Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales has reiterated before a judge that forward Jenni Hermoso gave him consent for a kiss at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final presentation ceremony