Luis Rubiales: Spanish soccer player Jennifer Hermoso has filed a formal complaint regarding an unwanted kiss

CNN
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Spanish star Jennifer Hermoso filed an official complaint with the Public Prosecution against the country’s president soccer the Union, Luis Rubialesdue to an unwanted kiss after the Women’s World Cup final.

A spokesperson for the Spanish Attorney General’s Office told CNN that the complaint was filed on Tuesday. “The statement was made at the state’s attorney’s office to protect the victim’s privacy,” the spokesperson said.

Spanish prosecutors opened an investigation into Rubiales on August 28, saying they would contact her within two weeks “to inform her of her rights as a victim of an alleged sexual assault crime.”

Hermoso’s legal complaint is the next step required for the Spanish judicial system to move forward with a case against Rubiales, who has refused to resign as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Rubiales apologized and described the kiss after Spain’s World Cup final victory on 20 August as “mutual” – an allegation Hermoso denied, saying it was disrespectful. FIFA suspended Rubiales for 90 days while disciplinary procedures are still ongoing.

Last week, Spain’s Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAD) agreed to open a case against Rubiales, but rejected the government’s argument that his crimes were “extremely serious”, preventing his immediate suspension and forcing ministers to ask the court to do so instead.

The unwanted kiss led to a major change in Spanish football, as the government prompted the resignation of Rubiales and the dismissal of the Spanish Football Federation. Jorge Vilda from his role As coach of the women’s national team. He was replaced by Montse Tomé, the first woman in the history of the Spanish national team to hold this position.

Hermoso’s legal complaint is the latest development in the saga that began when a video from the August 20 World Cup medal ceremony showed Rubiales embracing the Spanish star, then placing her hands on her head before forcefully kissing her. Then he patted her back as she walked away.

Later, Hermoso said of the kiss: “Hey, I didn’t like that, eh,” as she appeared to answer questions about the incident in an Instagram Live video from the celebratory locker room.

It took several days, on August 25, before Hermoso spoke out again on social media after Rubiales defiantly refused to step down as president of the Spanish Football Federation, saying: “I felt vulnerable and the victim of a sexist-driven and misplaced act.” “Without any approval on my part… I simply had no respect.”

More than 80 Spanish footballers at that time Put their names on the statement They support Hermoso and say they will not return to the national team “if the current leaders continue” in office.

Spanish Federation interim president Pedro Rocha then began taking steps as part of the federation’s “renewal”, sacking controversial coach Villeda despite his unprecedented World Cup victory and appointing his deputy Tommy. Rocha then pledged in a meeting with the president of the Supreme Sports Council, Victor Francos, to make more “structural changes” at the Spanish Football Federation.

It is not clear at this stage whether the changes made so far – including the suspension of Rubiales and the sacking of Vielda – will convince the players to return to the national team, which will play in a Women’s Nations League match against Sweden on September 22.

However, Veronica Boquete, former Spain captain and one of 80 signatories to the statement, speaking to radio station Cadena Cope on Tuesday, said replacing Villeda as head coach of the team was not enough.

Bocchetti said: “The change we are talking about does not mean changing one president for another, nor changing one coach for another, but rather it is about making a much deeper change.” And well, this “correction mission” makes us think they are [the federation] I still don’t understand the root of the problem. … [but] I suspect [the players] He will be back.”