‘Sexual assault’ investigation into FA president Luis Rubiales launched after World Cup kiss scandal
A 'sexual assault’ investigation has been launched into Luis Rubiales.
The president of the Spanish FA has received a huge backlash after he kissed star Jenni Hermoso following the country's victory of England in the World Cup final last week.
As Hermoso went up to collect her medal with her fellow teammates, Rubiales grabbed her head and kissed her.
He was then seen hugging her tightly before moving onto the next player. Following the incident, many were upset and called for him to step down.
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In a video shared by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Rubiales later apologised and said he was 'surely wrong'.
"In a moment of maximum effusiveness without any bad intentions and no bad faith, it happened in a very spontaneous way.
"Here we did not understand the controversy and there has been a commotion outside… that if there are people who have felt damaged because of this, I have to apologise and learn from this, there is no other option."
He was due to resign from his position at a press conference last Friday (25 August), but instead used the speech to say he had no intention of doing so, telling the media he would fight the allegations.
Hermoso also hit out at Rubiales, who was suspended by FIFA for a provisional period of 90 days, saying it was not consensual.
She said: "I felt vulnerable and a victim of aggression, an impulsive act, sexist, out of place and without any type of consent from my part. In short, I wasn’t respected."
And now, after having called the allegations lies, Rubiales is being investigated for sexual assault.
In a statement, prosecutors said a 'preliminary investigation' into the incident had started.
"Prosecutors from the National Court have opened a preliminary investigation to look into the facts, which could constitute an offence of sexual assault," read the statement from Spain's national court.
It also stated they would be in contact with Hermoso 'to offer her the option of legal action, giving her the chance to contact National Court prosecutors within 15 days for information about her rights as a victim of an alleged sexual assault... should she wish to file a complaint'.
This comes after the Spanish FA itself launched an internal investigation into the kiss and confirmed its sexual violence protocol has been activated.
Maria Dolores Martinez Madrona, the RFEF's protection delegate, wrote in a letter published over the weekend: "Our protocol is currently activated and in the midst of investigating the events, thus we demand the utmost respect for the right to privacy and dignity of all individuals involved.
"As the protection delegate for sexual violence, my duty is to adhere to the protocol and safeguard the privacy of those affected by this incident and of the Sexual Violence Advisory Committee."
Dominic Smithers