The president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, suspended by FIFA for having forced a kiss on the Spanish international Jenni Hermoso, announced on Sunday September 10 that he would resign from his post. “About my resignation: yes, I will, yes, because I can’t continue my work,” he said in an interview with English TV journalist Piers Morgan.
On August 20, a few minutes after the world title of the women’s “Roja” in Sydney, the Spanish football boss surprised Jenni Hermoso on the mouth, provoking international indignation. Refusing to resign for “a little consensual kiss”, he attacked, during a resounding speech on August 25, a supposed “false feminism” and argued that he had obtained the player’s authorization before kissing her.
A version denied by Jenni Hermoso who said she “felt vulnerable and victim (…) of an impulsive and sexist act, inappropriate and without any consent on [her] part”. She filed a complaint on Wednesday. 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. The penalties incurred range from a fine to four years in prison.
Charge for “sexual assault” requested by the prosecution
The affair, which resulted in the temporary suspension of Rubiales by FIFA, plunged Spanish football into chaos and eclipsed 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. His counterpart in the men’s team, Luis De la Fuente, for his part had to ask for “forgiveness” last week for having applauded, like many members of the federation, Rubiales’ speech on August 25.
The Spanish public prosecutor’s office on Friday requested the indictment of Mr. Rubiales for “sexual assault”. 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.
