CNN
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Spanish prosecutors have opened an investigation that could lead to sexual assault charges against citizens in the country soccer Union president Luis Rubiales.
The plaintiffs’ case centers on the unwanted kiss Rubiales gave to his star player, Jenny Hermoso, during Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory on August 20, according to a statement from the Spanish public prosecutor’s office on Monday.
“We have agreed to contact Jennifer Hermoso to inform her of her rights as a victim of an alleged sexual assault within the next 15 days,” the statement read.
It comes ahead of an “extraordinary and urgent” meeting called by the Spanish Football Federation on Monday afternoon after Rubiales was provisionally suspended by FIFA over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Rubiales’ mother locked herself in a church and went on a hunger strike to protest the “inhumane and bloodthirsty hunt” of her 46-year-old son, Spanish media reported.
Angeles Bejar reportedly said on Monday that she will remain at the church in the Spanish city of Motril, near Granada, “indefinitely, day and night” until justice is served against Rubiales.
The football coach and the Spanish Football Federation have been embroiled in controversy ever since he kissed the 33-year-old striker Hermoso on the lips after Spain won their first Women’s World Cup title by defeating England.
Rubiales said he made a mistake but called the kiss consensual, while Hermoso said she didn’t let him kiss her and felt violated.
“I felt emasculated and victimized by a sexist and misplaced act without any consent on my part,” she said on social media. I simply wasn’t respected.
In a defiant speech on Friday, Rubiales refused to resign from his position and vowed to “fight until the end” – a stance that drew a wave of fierce criticism from teams, players, politicians and union officials.
In response to Rubiales’ decision to stay on, RFEF vice-president Rafael del Amo and 11 members of the Spanish women’s national football program resigned.
Hermoso and her colleagues in Spain’s World Cup squad said they would not play again for the country until Rubiales was sacked.
However, the Spanish Football Federation is He stands behind RubialesShe accused Hermoso of lying about the incident and threatened legal action against her and others.
FIFA said on Saturday it had decided to suspend Rubiales from “all football-related activities at national and international levels” for 90 days while the disciplinary proceedings were initiated.
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