2023-09-10 22:22:45
The president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, on August 25, 2023 in Madrid. EIDAN RUBIO / AFP
The president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, suspended by FIFA for forcing a kiss on Spanish international Jenni Hermoso, announced on Sunday September 10 that he would resign from his post. “About my resignation: yes, I will do it, yes, because I cannot continue my work”he said in an interview with English television journalist Piers Morgan.
On August 20, a few minutes after the women’s “Roja” world title in Sydney, the Spanish football boss kissed Jenni Hermoso on the mouth by surprise, causing international outrage. Refusing to resign for “a little kiss agreed to”he had attacked, during a resounding speech on August 25, a supposed “false feminism” and argued that he got the player’s permission before kissing her.
A version denied by Jenni Hermoso who said she “felt vulnerable and victim (…) of an impulsive and sexist act, inappropriate and without any consent from [sa] part ». She filed a complaint on Wednesday. Since a recent reform of the Spanish Penal Code, a non-consensual kiss can be considered sexual assault, a criminal category bringing together all types of sexual violence. The penalties incurred range from a fine to four years in prison.
Charge for “sexual assault” requested by the prosecution
This affair, which led to the temporary suspension of Rubiales by FIFA, plunged Spanish football into chaos and overshadowed the world title of the women’s national team.
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Criticized by his players, coach Jorge Vilda, close to Rubiales, was sacked on Tuesday by the federation and replaced by his former assistant, Montse Tomé. His counterpart in the men’s selection, Luis De la Fuente, for his part had to ask « pardon » last week for having applauded, like many members of the federation, the speech of Rubiales on August 25.
The Spanish prosecutor’s office requested on Friday the indictment of Mr. Rubiales for “sexual assault”. A judge from the Madrid National Court, competent when the facts take place abroad, will now be responsible for admitting the prosecution’s request or dismissing it. If he admits it, he will entrust the investigation to an investigating judge.
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