The 2019 Women’s World Cup was a historic tournament for women’s soccer, with the US Women’s National Team winning their fourth title. However, the tournament was also marred by a sexual assault allegation involving Spanish player, Ainhoa Hermoso.
Hermoso, a defender for Spain’s national team, was accused of kissing a female fan without her consent during a post-match celebration. The incident occurred after Spain’s victory over South Africa in the Round of 16. The fan, who has chosen to remain anonymous, reported the incident to police and filed a complaint against Hermoso.
The case went to trial in October 2019, and Hermoso testified in her own defense. She denied the allegations and stated that she had only given the fan a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Hermoso also said that she had not intended to cause any harm or distress to the fan.
The court ultimately found Hermoso not guilty of sexual assault. The judge ruled that there was not enough evidence to prove that Hermoso had acted with any malicious intent.
The case has sparked debate about the issue of consent in sports. It has also raised questions about how athletes should interact with fans during post-match celebrations. While Hermoso was found not guilty, the incident serves as a reminder that athletes should always respect the boundaries of their fans and be mindful of their actions.