Jenni Hermoso has officially lodged a legal complaint against Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales regarding the non-consensual kiss that took place after Spain’s World Cup final victory. Rubiales, who insists the kiss was mutual and consensual, is currently under provisional suspension by FIFA, and the legal action opens the possibility of criminal charges for the 46-year-old.
This move comes after Spanish prosecutors initiated a preliminary investigation into the incident on August 29, examining whether it constitutes a sexual assault. The top criminal court in Spain stated that the investigation was prompted by the unequivocal nature of Hermoso’s statements and emphasized the need to determine the legal significance of the situation.
In response to Hermoso’s public statements, the court asserted that the kiss was not consensual, prompting legal experts to reach out to her. They offered her the option of pursuing legal action and encouraged her to contact National Court prosecutors within 15 days for information about her rights as a potential victim of sexual assault.
To proceed with a case related to sexual assault, harassment, or sexual abuse, the injured party or their legal representative must file a suit, or the public prosecutors’ office must take the initiative. It has been reported that Hermoso filed her complaint on Tuesday.
Rubiales, despite facing these serious allegations, has refused to resign from his position. A national sports tribunal (TAD) in Spain has opened a misconduct case against him, deeming the kiss a “serious offense.” However, they fell short of the “very serious offense” designation sought by the government, which would have led to his suspension.
The situation has led to significant unrest within the Spanish football community, with 81 players, including all 23 World Cup winners, stating that they will not play for the national team as long as Rubiales remains in charge. As Spain prepares for Uefa Nations League qualifying matches later this month, the controversy surrounding Rubiales continues to cast a shadow over the team.
In a surprising development, Spain’s World Cup-winning head coach Jorge Vilda, a known ally of Rubiales, was sacked on Tuesday, with Montse Tome announced as his successor. The decision adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing turmoil within Spanish football.
