Spanish state prosecutors have formally accused Luis Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion following an incident where he kissed a player, Jenni Hermoso, during the Women’s World Cup final. This announcement came from the country’s prosecutor’s office on Friday.
Luis Rubiales, who was then the president of the Spanish soccer federation (currently suspended), kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony that followed Spain’s victory over England in the championship on August 20 in Sydney, Australia.
Following Hermoso’s formal accusation of sexual assault, prosecutors swiftly presented a case against Rubiales to Spain’s National Court in Madrid. According to a sexual consent law enacted the previous year, Rubiales could potentially face a fine or a prison sentence ranging from one to four years if found guilty of sexual assault. This law abolished the distinction between “sexual harassment” and “sexual assault,” making any unconsented sexual act punishable.
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Additionally, prosecutors suggested that Luis Rubiales may have engaged in coercion when he allegedly pressured Hermoso to defend him immediately after the scandal surrounding his behaviour came to light. Rubiales has consistently maintained that the kiss was consensual, while Hermoso and her players’ union have refuted this claim in statements they issued.
Prosecutors have requested that Rubiales provide preliminary testimony before a court. If the National Court judge decides to proceed with the case, it will lead to a formal investigation, ultimately resulting in a recommendation for either dismissing the case or proceeding to trial.
Jenni Hermoso, a 33-year-old forward, currently plays for the Mexican club Pachuca after a successful career with top Spanish and European clubs, including Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Atletico Madrid. She returned to her Mexican club on Thursday.
Apart from the potential criminal trial, 46-year-old Luis Rubiales faces other threats. He was suspended from his position by FIFA on August 27, a day after he refused to step down and delivered a defiant speech during his federation’s general assembly, where he claimed to be a victim of a witch hunt by false feminists. FIFA disciplinary judges are currently considering his case, and sanctions could range from warnings and fines to suspensions from the sport.
Luis Rubiales also faces action from the Spanish government. A government legal panel overseeing sports has initiated an investigation to determine if he abused his authority by kissing Hermoso or tarnished Spain’s image with his behavior, which could result in him being declared unfit to hold his post for up to two years.
Rubiales’ actions at the final, which included a lewd gesture next to dignitaries such as Spain’s queen and teenage princess, combined with his controversial speech, have cast a shadow over the Women’s World Cup title and brought significant damage to his own federation.
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Spain’s women’s players have announced that they will not represent their nation again until substantial changes are made within the federation. Although the federation dismissed coach Jorge Vilda, the players have yet to specify if they consider this action sufficient.
The prosecutors’ accusations against Luis Rubiales coincide with the start of a strike by Spain’s women’s league players on the opening day of the competition, following the breakdown of salary negotiations with the league. Liga F, the league in question, was among the first soccer institutions to criticize Rubiales’ conduct.
Luis Rubiales, a former player and the former head of Spain’s largest players’ union, has been at the helm of the federation since 2018. While he has achieved success in increasing revenue and funding for lower-level soccer and women’s football, his tenure has often been marred by controversy.
In 2019, Rubiales made waves by relocating the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia, securing significant financial gains but drawing criticism from women’s and human rights groups due to the regime’s alleged treatment of women and minorities. Spanish authorities also scrutinized the legality of the Super Cup contracts, with an investigative judge currently examining the matter.
Furthermore, Rubiales expanded his influence by becoming a vice president of UEFA, the European soccer body, and was expected to lead the joint bid by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco to host the 2030 men’s World Cup. However, Spain’s government has cautioned that the bid for one of the world’s premier sporting events is now at risk of being tarnished.