The Spanish prosecutor's office confirmed that football player Jenni Hermoso had filed a criminal complaint against Luis Rubiales, head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), for sexual assault. This concerns the uninvited kiss he allegedly gave her during the celebration after the team's World Cup triumph.
Sexual Assault Charges Filed
President of the Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales speaks during a press conference to announce Spain, Portugal, and Ukraine's bid for the 2030 World Cup at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon on October 5, 2022.
According to The Guardian's report, Prosecutors from the country's highest criminal court have claimed they are looking into the event in which the 46-year-old football boss allegedly grabbed Hermoso by the head, pulled her towards him, and planted a kiss on her lips, prompting the complaint. Hermoso was asked to submit a formal complaint as part of the inquiry.
The prosecutor's office promised that the testimony provided by Hermoso will be reviewed as soon as possible. It further noted that a conviction for sexual assault under a new law requiring informed permission would subject Rubiales to a fine and imprisonment of one to four years.
Hermoso noted in a statement released at the end of last month that she felt "vulnerable and a victim of aggression" after the encounter. She claimed that the kiss was inappropriate, sexist, and made without her permission.
Rubiales tried to make it seem like the kiss was mutual later on.
See Also: Jorge Vilda Kisses World Cup Dream Goodbye After Being Fired by Spanish Football Body
Issues in the Team's Current Leadership
Soon after, FIFA placed Rubiales on temporary suspension and told him to stay away from Hermoso and her family.
RFEF sought his resignation a few days later amidst growing fury about the kiss and Rubiales clutching his crotch after Spain won the World Cup. On Tuesday, September 5, it issued a statement apologizing for the enormous damage inflicted by its president, Rubiales, in an effort to further separate itself from him.
Rubiales has not yet resigned, but the federation has fired Jorge Vilda, the coach of the national women's team. The chasm between Vilda and the rest of the team was exposed last year when 15 players quit on him, citing his domineering and overbearing personality as the reason.
Vilda alleged that he was wrongfully terminated late on Tuesday. "I have given 100% over 17 years and I do not understand [the decision]. I did not deserve my sacking," he told the radio network Cadena Ser.
With 81 football players refusing to play for the national team's current leadership and virtually all of his coaching staff departing in the wake of Rubiales' actions, his position had become unsustainable.
Vilda refuted reports that, in a move to relieve pressure on the football chief, he had forced Hermoso to participate in Rubiales' apologies. He also said that, in Sydney, he had not seen the kiss.
