Spain 2023 World Cup champion Jenni Hermoso filed a lawsuit against Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales for sexual assault with the Spanish prosecutor's office.
Rubiales in the moment of kissing Hermoso. Photo: AFP
On September 6, Hermoso personally filed a sexual assault lawsuit with the Attorney General's Office.
A judge at Spain's Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid will be tasked with investigating and deciding whether Rubiales should face charges, before inviting prosecutors to indict the RFEF chief.
With Hermoso's complaint, Rubiales could face criminal charges, in addition to the ongoing investigation by Spain's Sports Tribunal for "serious misconduct" and the FIFA investigation.
Immediately after learning that the 33-year-old attacking midfielder had filed a lawsuit against Rubiales, Spain's Minister of Equality, Irene Montero, wrote on X - the social network formerly known as Twitter: "Hermoso, you are not alone. Millions of people are with you."
The scandal arose from Rubiales kissing Hermoso on the lips during the Women's World Cup championship ceremony in Sydney on August 20. On the podium, after handing out medals, Rubiales hugged Hermoso, put both hands on her head and kissed her on the lips, then patted her on the back as the No. 11 player left.
Rubiales kisses Hermoso during the awards ceremony after the 2023 Women's World Cup final on August 20.
The Spanish player later said she did not want to be kissed and felt "vulnerable and the victim of an act of aggression". Hermoso also accused the RFEF of pressuring her and her family to issue a statement expressing support for Rubiales immediately after the incident.
Rubiales insisted that kissing Hermoso was "spontaneous and consensual." During an extraordinary press conference at the RFEF headquarters on August 25, he even said five times that he "would not resign" and claimed that he was the victim of a "witch hunt by pseudo-feminists."
A day after this defiant speech, FIFA suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level. The decision is effective for 90 days, pending the results of the investigation.
Pedro Rocha was then appointed interim president of the RFEF. Earlier this week, he apologized for the “huge damage” caused by his predecessor’s actions and promised to restructure the organization. The restructuring process began with the sacking of coach Jorge Vilda – who reportedly applauded Rubiales’s refusal to resign speech – and the appointment of former international Montse Tome as his replacement.
Hong Duy
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