Former Spain Women’s Coach Jorge Vilda Testifies in World Cup Kiss Scandal

"No one can think that a coach, publicly, on a plane, could put pressure on, coerce or say something in a hostile or threatening way to a person he has known for a long time, who is the brother of a player who is very appreciated," Vilda would have declared before the judge of the Audiencia Nacional, according to El Periódico. Accused of having coerced Jenni Hermoso, Vilda assured that he would be "incapable of putting pressure on or coercing anyone," asking the court to question "any of the footballers" he has trained over the past 17 years.

The former coach acknowledged having tried twice to speak with Rafael, Jenni Hermoso’s brother, during the flight from Australia, and that his intention was to "lower the pressure" that could affect the player’s "sports performance." "Do you think that trying to talk to a person twice in 24 hours is insistent?" Vilda asked, denying having threatened Jenni Hermoso’s brother. "All I could do as a coach would be not to call her up..." he explained.

Vilda claimed to have been "unaware of anything" during the medal ceremony and that after the non-consensual kiss, he had to leave because his daughter was suffering from back and abdominal pain and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.