“Spanish Prosecutor Files Charges of Sexual Assault and Coercion Against Luis Rubiales Amidst Kiss Scandal”

Luis Rubiales, the suspended President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), finds himself facing serious charges of sexual assault and coercion following an incident involving Spain forward Jenni Hermoso during World Cup celebrations. The controversy surrounding this incident has ignited a legal battle, with conflicting accounts and public scrutiny at the forefront.

The crux of the matter revolves around a non-consensual kiss between Rubiales and Hermoso. Rubiales contends that the kiss was consensual, alleging that he initiated a conversation with Hermoso during the incident, where he supposedly asked, “a peck?” and received her purported response of “Ok.” However, Hermoso has vehemently denied this version of events, asserting that she was the victim of a sexist act and that she felt vulnerable at the time. Further scrutiny of Rubiales’ account, including his claim that Hermoso lifted him up, has been debunked by video footage.

In response to numerous complaints and public outrage, Hermoso provided a statement to the police on Tuesday. This action allowed the public prosecutor to bring formal charges against Rubiales. The prosecutor has since presented allegations of sexual assault and coercion. Sexual assault carries the potential for a prison sentence ranging from 1 to 5 years, while coercion could result in a prison sentence of 6 months to 3 years or a fine ranging from 1 to 2 years of income.

The coercion charge stems from Rubiales’ alleged persistent pressure on Hermoso to make public appearances and downplay the incident, which added another layer of complexity to the legal proceedings.

Now, the case will move to the hands of a judge, who will assess the evidence and determine whether there is sufficient basis to bring a case against Rubiales. Notably, the Spanish prosecutor had been in contact with Australian authorities regarding the matter, but charges will not be pursued in Australia.

Currently, Rubiales is serving a suspension from his position by FIFA for a duration of 90 days. Additionally, the Ministry for Sport is pursuing a potential suspension for Rubiales from football for up to two years, citing a “serious infraction,” as determined by the Tribunal for Sport. As the legal process unfolds, the outcome of these suspensions and the overall impact on the sport and its administration remain uncertain, making it a case of significant public interest and scrutiny.