The former president of the Spanish Football Federation should stand trial over a non-consensual kiss on a player in the Women's World Cup final, a judge has said.
Luis Rubiales Jenny kissed Hermoso on the lips as her team collected winners' medals after Spain's win over England in Sydney, in August last year.
These events shook the world of sports, and in a new statement, Supreme Court Judge Francisco de Jorge said that, contrary to Rubiales’ statements, the investigation showed that the kiss “was not consensual and was a unilateral and sudden initiative.”
So far, the investigating judge is handling the case. Prosecutors and attorneys can still file arguments, after which the court will decide whether to call a trial and, if it goes ahead, when to hold one.
The judge also seeks to prosecute Jorge Villeda, the former coach of the women's team; Albert Locke, men's team manager; and Ruben Rivera, the federation's marketing chief, to pressure Hermoso to say that the kiss was consensual.
He found evidence that the other defendants tried to get Hermoso “to record a video saying the kiss was consensual” and thus may have committed a related crime.
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Hermoso filed a criminal complaint of sexual assault and coercion in September, saying she felt “vulnerable and a victim of assault.”
Earlier this month, she said He testified in court The kiss was not consensual. The judge also heard from players, coaches and other FIFA officials who won the World Cup.
The kiss happened on August 20 last year and angered many football fans, but the Spanish Football Federation initially sided with Rubiales.
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At a press conference held days after the incident, its members, including Felda, applauded as the president refused to step down from office.
The social media hashtag #SeAcabo, which means “it's over”, became a rallying cry as people repeated their calls for his dismissal.
Three weeks later, the Spanish women's national team participated He refused to play for the sake of their country, Rubiales finally resigned.
