Luis Rubiales, the former president of Spain’s football federation, arrived at a court in Madrid on September 15 to provide testimony in front of Judge Francisco de Jorge. The judge is overseeing an investigation into Rubiales' controversial kiss of Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso during the Women’s World Cup awards ceremony. Rubiales is facing allegations of sexual assault and coercion in connection to the incident.
The incident in question occurred on August 20 in Sydney, Australia, following Spain's victory over England in the Women's World Cup final. Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony, asserting that the kiss was consensual. However, Hermoso has vehemently denied consenting to the kiss.
Accompanied by his lawyer, Rubiales made no public statement as he entered the courthouse. His appearance comes after Spanish state prosecutors officially charged him with alleged sexual assault and an act of coercion. Hermoso claims that Rubiales pressured her to publicly support his version of events immediately after the controversy surfaced.
Rubiales made headlines earlier this week when he announced his resignation from his position as the president of Spain’s football federation. He had already been provisionally suspended by FIFA, and the scandal surrounding the kiss had put immense pressure on him to step down.
Judge Francisco de Jorge is currently conducting a preliminary investigation into the allegations against Rubiales. Based on the evidence presented during this phase, he will determine whether the case should proceed to trial.
Spain passed a significant sexual consent law last year, which could have implications for Rubiales' legal situation. Under this law, any non-consensual sexual act, whether categorized as "sexual harassment" or "sexual assault," is subject to penalties. If found guilty of sexual assault, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence ranging from one to four years.
The courtroom drama surrounding Luis Rubiales and his controversial kiss has captured the attention of both the sports world and advocates for stricter sexual consent laws in Spain. As the legal proceedings unfold, many are watching closely to see how this case will impact the broader conversation about consent and accountability in sports and society.
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