‘This is unacceptable’ – Alexia Putellas after Luis Rubiales refuses to resign
Prosecutors presented the suit to Spain’s National Court in Madrid two days after the match on August 20. Hermoso formally accused Rubiales of sexual assault, claiming that the kiss was non-consensual.
Due to the nature of Hermoso’s claim, prosecutors said on Friday that Rubiales could have committed an act of coercion, according to the Press Association. Hermoso alleges that he pressured her to speak out in his defence immediately after the scandal erupted.
The forward has claimed that the Spanish FA (RFEF) ‘continuously pressured’ her to put out a statement siding with Rubiales. The RFEF accused Hermoso of lying about the incident but has since apologised.
Spanish sexual consent laws passed last year say that the 46-year-old could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty of sexual assault.
READ MORE: Jenni Hermoso files legal complaint as Spain FA under pressure to axe Rubiales[LATEST]
Rubiales insists that the kiss was consensual. The former defender claims that he asked Hermoso for a ‘peck’ as she emerged on the stage to collect her winners’ medal.
He will likely be asked to stand before judges to give a preliminary testimony. A National Judge can then decide to hear the case, leading to a formal court investigation that will end with a recommendation for the case to either go to trial or be dismissed.
Hermoso had 15 days to accuse Rubiales of sexually assaulting her by kissing her on the lips without consent. She did so on Wednesday at the Spanish State Prosecution Service HQ in Madrid.
It is the latest twist in a remarkable saga that has overshadowed the tremendous success of Spain’s women’s football team. Rubiales remains suspended by FIFA – provisionally for 90 days – and the Spanish FA.
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The former Levante and Hamilton Academical player staged a bizarre fiery press conference in the days after the incident. Many onlookers had been expecting him to stand down from his role but he repeatedly bellowed: “No, I will not resign!”
Rubiales’s mother then staged a hunger strike in a church in a bid to defend her son. She was subsequently admitted to hospital after three days.
Hermoso has repeatedly insisted that the kiss was non-consensual. She has issued statements via her own channels and through her players’ union.
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