Proceedings in the kissing scandal
Judge bans Rubiales from getting closer than 200 meters to soccer player Hermoso
Resigned head of the association: Luis Rubiales has failed with his crisis management
© Gabriel Bouys/La Nacion via ZUMA Press / Picture Alliance
Former Spanish Football Association president Luis Rubiales appeared in court for a first hearing and protested his innocence in the kissing scandal. The judge nevertheless issued an order for the course of the proceedings.
The former Spanish Football Association president is five days after his resignation Luis Rubiales appeared before a judge in Madrid for the first time on Friday on allegations of sexual assault. After the Spanish women’s national team won the World Cup on August 20 in Sydney, in front of an audience of millions, Rubiales held player Jennifer Hermoso’s head with both hands and kissed her on the mouth.
According to the judiciary, Rubiales again denied all allegations at the hearing on Friday and emphasized that it was a consensual kiss. Hermoso, however, sees the incident as a sexual assault. Prosecutors requested an order that Rubiales not be allowed to approach Hermoso more than 500 meters during the investigation. The judge set the distance at 200 meters. In addition, Rubiales is not allowed to have any contact with Hermoso.
Judge decides whether Rubiales will be charged
The judge who conducted the preliminary investigation in the case will soon decide whether charges will be filed in the case.
The association boss’s behavior sparked outrage at home and abroad and a crisis in Spanish football. After weeks of wrangling over his position, Rubiales finally announced his resignation as president of the Spanish Football Association on Sunday. The national players announced on Friday that they would continue their strike until comprehensive reforms in the Spanish Football Association follow.