The Spanish prosecutor’s office on Friday called for the indictment for “sexual assault” of the suspended Spanish football boss Luis Rubiales, accused of having kissed the Spanish player Jennifer Hermoso by surprise after the coronation of the Women’s Roja at the World Cup in Sydney. “The prosecutor requests that Luis Rubiales be interviewed as the accused and Jenni Hermoso as the victim,” the prosecution said in a press release.
A judge from the Madrid National Court, competent when the facts take place abroad, will now be responsible for admitting the prosecution’s request or dismissing it. If he admits it, he will entrust the investigation to an investigating judge. Since a recent reform of the Spanish Penal Code, a non-consensual kiss can be considered sexual assault, a criminal category bringing together all types of sexual violence.
The penalty ranges from a fine to four years in prison.
The prosecution also considers that he must be prosecuted for “an offense of coercion”. “Jenni Hermoso explained that she was, with her entourage, the victim of constant pressure from Rubiales and her professional entourage so that she justifies and approves the facts,” explains the prosecution, referring to “harassment” of the player and those close to her.
On August 20, a few minutes after the world title of the women’s “Roja” in Sydney, the Spanish football boss surprised Jenni Hermoso on the mouth, provoking international indignation. Refusing to resign for “a little consensual kiss”, he attacked, during a resounding speech on August 25, a supposed “false feminism” and argued that he had obtained the player’s authorization before kissing her. A version denied by Jenni Hermoso who said she “felt vulnerable and victim (…) of an impulsive and sexist act, inappropriate and without any consent from [sa] go”.
Coach Jorge Vilda expelled
This affair, which led to the temporary suspension of Rubiales by Fifa, plunged Spanish football into chaos and overshadowed the world title of the women’s national team. Criticized by his players, coach Jorge Vilda, close to Rubiales, was sacked on Tuesday by the federation and replaced by his former assistant, Montse Tomé. His counterpart in the men’s team, Luis De la Fuente, had to ask for “forgiveness” last week for having applauded, like many members of the federation, Rubiales’ speech on August 25.
The first woman to lead the women’s selection, Montse Tomé will have to quickly convince the 23 world champions to end their strike while the next international matches will take place on September 22 and 26.