The national prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday that Spanish football player Jenni Hermoso had filed a criminal complaint about the uninvited kiss that football federation president Luis Rubiales gave her during Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph.
The prosecutor said that Hermoso would have her testimony reviewed “as soon as possible” and that the complaint will be handled on Tuesday.
In addition to the current investigation by Spain’s highest sport court into “serious misconduct” and a probe by FIFA, which has temporarily banned Rubiales from office for 90 days, Rubiales may face criminal charges as a result of the accusation.
At that time, Rubiales and Hermoso’s delegates were not accessible for remark.
At the medal-giving ceremony that took place after Spain’s 1-0 win over England in the Women’s World Cup final on August 20, Rubiales seized Hermoso’s head and painted her lips.
The prosecutor for Spain’s High Court said late last month that if Hermoso, a Mexican actor who lives and performs, filed a complaint, Rubiales might be charged with sexual assault, with a maximum sentence of four years in jail.
The event occurred overseas, in Sydney, Australia, hence the High Court has jurisdiction over the matter.
Hermoso said that she felt “vulnerable and a victim of an aggression” and that she did not want to be kissed. “Spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual” is how Rubiales described the kiss, adding that he has so far declined to quit despite intense pressure.
Spain and other countries have expressed indignation over Rubiales’ actions. During the final, he also groped his crotch while standing near to Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter.
Monday’s “unacceptable behaviour” by the nation’s football manager was criticized by the Spanish men’s squad. However, one of the team’s captains, Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal, came under fire afterwards for allegedly casting doubt on Hermoso’s victim status during an interview with Spanish radio station Onda Cero.
These legal authorities are debating whether Jennifer is indeed the victim of the matter under investigation. “There are individuals who must determine if a victim and an offender exist,” Carvajal said on Tuesday.
He said, “So we can’t take a position or condemn one side or the other beforehand without really knowing what has happened, what has been stipulated, because Jennifer has not yet filed a complaint,” not realizing that Hermoso had later in the day met with prosecutors and submitted a criminal complaint.
throughout a news conference on Wednesday, Carvajal attempted to clarify his remarks by adding that “Rubiales should be supported in the same way as Jenni Hermoso” throughout this process.
“I see that Jenni is going through a difficult moment; I must express my support for her. But I don’t believe the president is enjoying himself either. No one is being judged here,” Carvajal said.
Presumption of innocence is guaranteed under the constitution. No one can be victimized or held accountable.”
Jorge Vilda, Rubiales’s close buddy and coach of the women’s squad, was fired on Tuesday. Later, the RFEF said that Montse Tome, the first woman to manage the side, had been chosen to replace Vilda.