Spain's former soccer chief Rubiales says player Hermoso consented to kiss

Asked whether he normally kissed people on the lips, Rubiales told the court the occasion and the fact he had known Hermoso for a long time warranted it

Former president of the Spanish football federation Luis Rubiales leaves the court of San Fernando de Henares on the first day of his trial.

Spain's former soccer federation boss Luis Rubiales told a court on Tuesday that player Jenni Hermoso had given her consent for the kiss on the mouth that triggered his trial for sexual assault and sparked a debate in Spain about sexism in women's football.

"I am absolutely sure that she gave me her permission," Rubiales told the court in Madrid. "I asked her: 'Can I give you a little kiss?' She said: 'all right.' That’s what happened."