Spain forward Jennifer Hermoso has filed a complaint with the country’s prosecutors office accusing Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales of sexual assault.
Rubiales sparked worldwide outrage when he kissed Hermoso on the lips after the World Cup final on August 20 — an act Hermoso has insisted was not consensual.
Spanish prosecutors opened an investigation into Rubiales on August 28, with Hermoso’s complaint the next step that will allow the Spanish justice system to pursue charges against the RFEF president.
According to the AP, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty.
Rubiales has apologized for his actions following the World Cup final, which Spain won 1-0 over England, but has refused to resign from his post despite heavy pressure to do so.
After a defiant speech on August 25 in which Rubiales insisted the kiss was consensual and refused to step down, Spain’s entire World Cup-winning roster said it was going on strike until the president is ousted.
In addition to the complaint filed by Hermoso, Rubiales remains under investigation by Spain’s top sport court (TAD) and by FIFA, which has issued him a preliminary 90-day suspension while its inquiry continues.
With Rubiales suspended, acting RFEF president Pedro Rocha announced on Tuesday that women’s national team head coach Jorge Vilda — a controversial figure who was strongly backed by Rubiales — had been fired.
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