By Victor Kanayo
Former President of Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales is scheduled to appear in court, following investigation into his forcible kiss on Jenni Hermoso’s lips after the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, Australia.
Rubiales who recently accepted to resign after his initial refusal, was asked to appear on Friday to answer to allegations bordering on sexual assault.
Specifically, Rubiales stepped down as the Spanish football federation’s president on Sunday, but has continued to defend himself over the kiss.
The penalties for a forced kiss can range from a fine to four years in prison, according to sources from the public prosecutors’ office.
As reported by AFP, regarding his formal invitation to appear, a Madrid court has confirmed the latest development in a statement on Tuesday.
One Kiss, Many Troubles
Judge Francisco de Jorge of the National Court admitted a complaint against Rubiales on Monday, filed by Spanish prosecutors last week regarding alleged “crimes of sexual assault and “coercion”.
Under a recent reform of the Spanish penal code, a non-consensual kiss can be considered sexual assault, a criminal category that groups together all types of sexual violence.
The 46-year-old kissed Hermoso following Spain’s triumph in Sydney on August 20, 2023.
However, she had filled that the kiss situation was forceful, but Rubiales had insisted that he had her consent.
