Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish FA, is at the eye of a political hurricane. This is due to the way he conducted himself at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final. Following his forced kiss on Jenni Hermoso, the Spanish prosecutor has filed a complaint for sexual assault and coercion.
During the medal ceremony that followed Spain’s historic 1-0 victory over England, Rubiales clutched at the winners. Additionally, he jumped into Hermoso’s arms and gave her a kiss. On Wednesday, Hermoso formally complained to the prosecutor’s office. It will imply that Rubiales might now be charged with a crime.
His “serious misconduct” is already being looked into by Spain’s top sports court. On August 27, FIFA banned Rubiales from all football-related activities. Rubiales, who serves as vice-president of UEFA, has resisted offering his resignation from his high-profile positions. He alleges that “false feminists” are conducting a “witch hunt” against him.
He has consistently insisted that his clinch with Hermoso was “consensual” and was just an outburst of joy. But his critics have banded together to oppose him. 23 players of Spain’s World Cup-winning team declared that they would not play for their country again unless Rubiales was removed from office.
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Before being fired himself, Jorge Vilda also had 11 members of his coaching staff quit. Rubiales is currently awaiting word on whether official charges will be brought against him by a Spanish court. If such were to occur, sexual assault would be punishable by a prison sentence of one to four years under Spanish law.
