The Councilor of Presidency and Sports of the Consell de Ibiza, Salvador Losa, appeared this Monday in the trial against Luis Rubiales, former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), to explain his participation in the organization of the trip of the women’s national team to Ibiza after the 2023 World Cup.
During that celebratory trip after the conquest in Sydney, Jenny Hermoso claims to have suffered numerous pressures to record a video in which she minimized the kiss Rubiales had given her without her consent at the awards ceremony, an event that, at the time, made all the headlines.
Rubén Rivera, former director of Marketing of the RFEF, is one of the main people accused of having harassed Hermoso on that trip. Rivera himself was the one who requested Losa’s statement.
Travel arrangements to Ibiza
Losa has pointed out that he coincided with Rubiales in Ibiza during the pre-tournament training camp and that the players’ subsequent trip was part of a sponsorship contract with the Consell. In other words, it was not something “staged” to extinguish the scandal generated by Rubiales’ kiss.
“This trip was a consequence of a first stay where they prepared for the World Cup. They talked about the possibility of taking Ibiza into account if they won the tournament. When they go to the final, I contact Rivera, congratulate him and remind him that the possibility is still open,” said Losa in his testimony.
In addition to Rivera, Losa also mentioned Albert Luque, sports director, as a key figure in the organization of the team’s trip. In any case, he denied any other relationship with the accused.
Jenni Hermoso allegedly pressured in Ibiza
During his statement, Losa was questioned about Rivera’s presence on the trip and his possible interaction with Hermoso. The conseller stated that he could not identify with certainty whether Rivera approached any particular player.“I had a hard time identifying who each player was. I can’t pinpoint if Rivera approached anyone in particular.”
According to previous statements by teammates, Hermoso had been pressured during the trip to Ibiza to publicly support Rubiales.
Other witnesses at the trial
In addition to Salvador Losa, Montse Tomé, current coach of the Spanish women’s national team, and Alejandra Hernández, Rubén Rivera’s wife, also testified at the National Court on Monday. Tomé was questioned about her decision not to call Hermoso in the matches after the World Cup, while Hernández gave her perspective on the events related to the case.
“We were living a situation and she in particular, very unpleasant. The media pressure made me make the decision. I understood that there were players in a better situation,” said Tomé.
The trial against Luis Rubiales continues, with more testimony expected in the coming days, including that of Rubiales himself and other former RFEF executives accused of coercion.
