In a recent development, prosecutors have initiated a preliminary sex abuse investigation into Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Association (FA).
This investigation stems from an incident during the Women’s World Cup, where Rubiales allegedly kissed Spain player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips without her consent.
The incident has been dubbed the ‘kiss-gate’ scandal and has raised concerns about potential sexual assault.
The investigation is being conducted by Spain’s top criminal court, which is tasked with determining whether Rubiales’ actions amount to sexual assault.
It has come to light that in addition to the unwanted kiss, Rubiales also engaged in questionable behavior by grabbing his crotch while seated in the royal box alongside Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, Infanta Sofia.
The incident in question occurred following Spain’s victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final on August 20.
After the match, Rubiales embraced midfielder Jennifer Hermoso in a tight manner before unexpectedly kissing her on the mouth.
Hermoso later expressed her discomfort with the gesture, stating that she did not approve of it.
Rubiales, on the other hand, claimed that Hermoso had consented to the kiss, an assertion that Hermoso vehemently denies.
The aftermath of the incident saw Rubiales facing widespread condemnation.
The controversy surrounding the incident led to his suspension by FIFA, the global governing body for football.
Rubiales’ suspension came shortly after he delivered a perplexing speech during an emergency meeting of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), in which he attributed the saga to ‘false feminists’.
As this investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge regarding the nature of Rubiales’ actions and the potential legal consequences he may face.
The incident has sparked discussions about consent, appropriate behavior, and the responsibilities of sports officials.
This situation continues to evolve, and updates on the investigation will be forthcoming.