(Madrid) The boss of Spanish football, Luis Rubiales, whose forced kiss to world champion Jenni Hermoso aroused a wave of indignation, is in the sights of Spanish justice which announced Monday the opening of an investigation preliminary for “sexual assault”.
This investigation relates to “facts which could constitute an offense of sexual assault”, indicated, in a press release, the Spanish prosecutor’s office which invites the player to contact him “within 15 days” in order to be “informed of her rights as a victim” and to “file a complaint” if she wishes.
According to the prosecution, a complaint from Jenni Hermoso is essential for the launch of any legal proceedings against the president of the RFEF, a spokeswoman told AFP.
Other complaints have already been filed against Mr. Rubiales, but none come from the player.
Seized by the Spanish government, the Administrative Sports Court (TAD) met for its part on Monday to study the complaint of the left executive against Luis Rubiales.
The Higher Sports Council (CSD), which depends on the Ministry of Sports, was still Monday evening awaiting the decision of the TAD to suspend the leader until the case is judged on the merits, indicated its president Victor Francos at a press conference.
The 46-year-old Luis Rubiales was already suspended by FIFA on Saturday “from all football-related activity at national and international level” for 90 days.
The case, already dubbed the “
Several men’s and women’s soccer teams across the country displayed banners or T-shirts with the inscription
Behind the
The convictions go beyond the world of football, with Spanish basketball legend Pau Gasol, and even sports, with Israeli-American actress Natalie Portman.
In a country considered very advanced in terms of women’s rights, the government of socialist Pedro Sanchez is particularly virulent against Luis Rubiales.
“Faced with a non-consensual kiss”, which can constitute sexual assault under the Spanish Penal Code, “the government has an obligation to act”, Equality Minister Irene Montero said on Monday.
The government’s number three, Yolanda Diaz, has announced the filing of another complaint before the CSD to demand that the federation respect the law on gender parity in its management bodies, which is a “key against structural machismo”.
However, the CSD recalled on Monday evening that this legal obligation of parity did not come into force until January 1, 2024.
Minutes after La Roja won the World Cup final against England on August 20, Rubiales threw Spanish football into chaos by kissing Jenni Hermoso on the mouth at the medal ceremony in Sydney .
Her unexpected refusal to step down on Friday despite intense pressure was shocking, as was her violent rhetoric against supposed “false feminism.” The former defender insists that this kiss was “consensual”.
A version categorically denied by the world champion who said she felt “vulnerable and victim of aggression […] without any consent on my part”.
Denouncing the “harassment” of which Luis Rubiales would be the victim, his mother began a hunger strike in a church in Motril, Vanessa Ruiz Bejar, a cousin of the president of the federation, told the press.
In the midst of the bid process for the organization of the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Morocco, the RFEF convened an extraordinary meeting of the presidents of the regional federations on Monday afternoon. But no announcement has been made at this time.
The body is under pressure as the 23 players of La Roja refuse to play under the current management and six members of the management of the women’s selection resigned on Saturday.