Spanish football star Jenni Hermoso has lodged a legal complaint against Luis Rubiales, the head of the football federation, for an unwanted kiss that took place after Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory. This complaint opens the possibility of criminal charges, alongside ongoing investigations by Spain’s top sport court for “serious misconduct” and FIFA. Rubiales, who has been suspended by the Spanish football federation (RFEF), claims the kiss was consensual, while Hermoso insists it was not.
Hermoso also alleges that her family faced pressure from the federation to support Rubiales immediately after the kiss scandal, which marred her team’s triumph. The Spanish government, players’ unions, players, and the public have expressed support for Hermoso, while Rubiales, who refuses to resign, has faced isolation in the football community.
Rubiales was suspended by FIFA on August 27, following a defiant speech where he portrayed himself as a victim of a “witch-hunt” by “false feminists” during a general assembly of his federation. After the incident, 81 women’s team players went on strike in protest. The prosecutor’s office disclosed that Hermoso made the accusation on Tuesday, and they had previously indicated their intention to meet with her to allow her to present her accusations against Rubiales.
