Having kissed a female athlete, football federation head Luis Rubiales may be charged.
The director of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, has been accused of sexual misconduct by football player Jenni Hermoso after he kissed her on the lips after Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final. Hermoso has filed a formal criminal complaint against Rubiales. However, Rubiales maintains that the kiss was consensual despite being suspended in response to the allegation.
Spanish prosecutors announced this week that Hermoso filed charges, adding that the case would move forward “as soon as possible.” The head of the federation may be charged with sexual assault, a crime that carries a sentence of up to four years in jail, according to a recent statement from Spain’s High Court.
The top sports court in Spain is looking into Rubiales for “serious misconduct” over the ostensibly unwanted kiss, in addition to the 90-day penalty from FIFA, the world governing body for football.
After Spain defeated England in the Women’s World Cup final late last month, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her passionately while they were receiving awards. In a later statement, the president of the federation stated that the kiss was “spontaneous, mutual, euphoric, and consensual.” But Hermoso claimed that the encounter left her feeling “vulnerable and like the victim of a sexual assault.” She went on to say that “no type of consent” on her part was given for Rubiales’ “impulsive, macho act.”
Despite the fact that prosecutors had earlier said they had received at least six formal complaints regarding the incident, up until Tuesday, none had come from Hermoso. Criminal charges may now move forward if the court decides to do so after receiving her case. Considering that the alleged misbehaviour occurred abroad, in Australia, the High Court would preside over any proceedings.
Rafael del Amo, the vice president of Spain’s football federation, and 11 members of the coaching staff for the Spanish women’s team resigned in response to the scandal, and Hermoso and her World Cup-winning teammates declared that they would not play for their country again until Rubiales was removed from his position. But up until now, he has refused to leave.
Jorge Vilda, the head coach of the Spanish women’s team and a close ally of Rubiales, was fired on Tuesday. According to the federation, Montse Tome, the first female to lead the squad, took his place. Vilda was among the first to defend Rubiales following the claims of sexual assault, claiming he was the target of a smear campaign by “false feminists,” despite the body not immediately providing an explanation for their choice. In the end, he changed his mind and apologised.
