2023-08-29 10:41:39
The presidents of the regional federations of Spanish football, summoned by the interim president of the Federation, demanded on Monday the immediate resignation of Luis Rubiales, who is the subject of a preliminary investigation for sexual assault after giving a forced kiss to the international Jenni Hermoso. On the judicial level, the Spanish prosecutor’s office announced earlier in the day the opening of a preliminary investigation for “sexual assault”.
Published on: 08/29/2023 – 10:41
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The Spanish football boss aroused a wave of indignation by kissing Jenni Hermoso on the mouth on the World Cup podium on August 20 in Sydney after La Roja’s coronation. ” After the recent events and unacceptable behaviors that have seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the presidents ask Luis Rubiales to immediately submit his resignation as president of the RFEF “, writes the Federation in a press release.
The call was issued following a meeting of the federation’s regional presidents, convened urgently by Pedro Rocha, who has held the interim presidency of the RFEF since Luis Rubiales was suspended from his post by FIFA, the international football body. They also speak for a deep and immediate restructuring of the Federation’s strategic positions in order to pave the way for a new stage in the management of Spanish football ».
« sexual assault offense »
The pressure has been mounting and escalating in recent days, since Rubiales, 46, announced to everyone’s surprise last Friday that he was refusing to step down.
After Fifa’s decision to suspend him on Saturday ” of any football-related activity at national and international level for 90 days, he is now under preliminary investigation for sexual assault. This investigation, said the prosecution in a press release, relates to “ facts that could constitute a crime of sexual assault ».
Spanish justice invites Jenni Hermoso to contact “ within 15 days ” in order to be ” informed of their rights as a victim ” and of ” file a complaint if she wishes. According to the prosecution, a complaint from the Spanish international, 33, is essential for the launch of possible proceedings against the president of the RFEF, a spokeswoman told AFP.
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 case, already dubbed the “#MeToo of Spanish football” and which eclipsed the world title of La Roja Feminine, caused a wave of indignation in Spain, but also abroad.
Several men’s and women’s football teams across the country displayed banners or T-shirts with the inscription #SeAcabo (let’s end it) to demand an end to impunity for sexist acts and sexual violence, a slogan that has gone viral on social networks.
Behind the #ContigoJenni (with you Jenni), the Norwegian men’s and women’s teams were the first to jointly support Jenni Hermoso on Monday.
« No consent from me »
The condemnations go beyond the world of football, with the legend of Spanish basketball Pau Gasol, and even of sport, with the 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 an unwanted kiss “, which can constitute sexual assault according to the Spanish Penal Code, “the government has an obligation to act”, estimated Monday the Minister for Equality, Irene Montero. Rubiales, who castigated a supposed “false feminism” by announcing that he did not intend to resign, insists that this kiss was “consensual”. But the former defender’s version was categorically denied by the world champion, who said she felt “vulnerable and the victim of an aggression (…) without any consent on my part ».
Denouncing the ” harassment “, of which Luis Rubiales would be a victim, his mother started a hunger strike in a church in Motril (south), Vanessa Ruiz Bejar, a cousin of the president of the federation, told the press. The RFEF is in the process of applying to organize the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Morocco. The 23 players of the crowned group in Australia refuse to play under the current management and six members of the management of the women’s selection resigned on Saturday.
(With AFP)
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