Spanish prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year jail term for the former head of the country’s football federation. This request comes after he allegedly kissed a female footballer without her consent during Spain’s World Cup triumph.
Luis Rubiales is confronting charges of sexual assault and coercion following allegations that he forcibly kissed Jenni Hermoso last August.
Ms. Hermoso and her teammates have asserted that the kiss was unwelcome and demeaning.
Mr. Rubiales resigned under pressure but has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
According to a court document obtained by Reuters, prosecutor Marta Durantez has charged Mr. Rubiales with one count of sexual assault and one count of coercion related to the incident. These charges carry potential prison sentences of one year and 18 months, respectively.
Ms. Durantez has also accused Jorge Vilda, the former coach of the women’s national team, the team’s current sporting director, Albert Luque, and the federation’s head of marketing, Ruben Rivera, of pressuring Ms. Hermoso into falsely stating that the kiss was consensual. The indictment alleges that they subjected her to ongoing harassment and pressure tactics, involving her friends and family.
All three individuals have denied any wrongdoing during their court appearances and could each face up to 18 months in jail if convicted.
Ms. Durantez is seeking €100,000 (£85,677; $108,000) in damages to be collectively paid by the four accused individuals to Ms. Hermoso, with Mr. Rubiales responsible for at least half of this amount.
Furthermore, Ms. Durantez has requested a restraining order against Mr. Rubiales, prohibiting him from approaching within 200 meters (656 feet) of Ms. Hermoso and from communicating with her for the next seven and a half years.
The scandal marred a significant milestone for Spain’s women’s team, as they celebrated their inaugural World Cup victory. During the trophy presentation ceremony, Mr. Rubiales embraced Ms. Hermoso, holding her head between his hands and planting a kiss on her lips.
Criticism also arose when Mr. Rubiales was seen grabbing his crotch while celebrating the win, standing alongside Spain’s Queen Letizia and her daughter, Princess Infanta Sofia. This incident sparked global outrage over sexism in women’s sports’ upper echelons and prompted player boycotts of the national team, demanding reforms in women’s football in Spain.
Initially suspended by FIFA, Mr. Rubiales eventually resigned from his positions as head of Spain’s football federation and vice-president of UEFA in September. In January, FIFA upheld a three-year ban on Mr. Rubiales from football activities after his appeal.
Mr. Vilda, the coach who guided the women’s team to victory, and an ally of Mr. Rubiales, was also dismissed in September due to fallout from the scandal. However, he was appointed head coach of Morocco’s women’s team in October.