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.

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.

STORY: Spain's former soccer federation boss Luis Rubiales told a court on Tuesday that player Jenni Hermoso had given her consent to being kissed on the mouth.:: FileThe incident was witnessed by millions of television viewers and an entire stadium after the Spanish women’s team won the 2023 World Cup.