Not a day goes by without new information coming to overwhelm Luis Rubiales, the suspended president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The Spanish prosecutor’s office demanded on Friday the indictment for “sexual assault” of the leader, accused of having kissed by surprise the Spanish player Jennifer Hermoso after the coronation of the Women’s Roja at the World Cup in Sydney, on August 20.
“The prosecutor requests that Luis Rubiales be interviewed as the accused and Jenni Hermoso as the victim,” the prosecution said in a press release. 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.
Up to four years in prison
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. According to a spokeswoman for the prosecution, the sentence incurred by Luis Rubiales ranges from a fine to four years in prison.
The prosecution also considers that he must be prosecuted for “an offense of coercion”. “Jenni Hermoso explained that she was, with her entourage, the victim of constant pressure from Rubiales and her professional entourage so that she justifies and approves the facts,” explains the prosecution, referring to “harassment” of the player and those close to her.
The delicate mission of Montse Tomé
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. 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. The first woman to lead the women’s selection will have to quickly convince the 23 world champions to end their strike while the next international matches will take place on September 22 and 26.
His counterpart in the men’s selection, Luis De la Fuente, for his part had to ask “forgiveness” last week for having applauded, like many members of the federation, Rubiales’ speech on August 25.