Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales accused of sexual assault after he shockingly kissed women’s star Jenni Hermoso on the lips

Luis Rubiales, the man at the center of the World Cup kissing controversy, has now been charged with sexual assault.

Spain’s FA president, 46, kissed Spanish women’s player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth without her consent after Hermoso helped La Roja win the World Cup with a 1-0 win against England.

Pachuca attacking midfielder Hermoso admitted she “didn’t like it” when Rubiales grabbed her and gave her a tight hug before kissing her on the lips on the celebratory stage after the game, for which he later grudgingly apologized despite initially saying his behavior defended.

He also grabbed his crotch in what was described by American legend Megan Rapinoe as a “signal of a deep level of misogyny and sexism,” who insisted his kiss was “physical assault.”

And Spanish football chief Miguel Ángel Galán has now filed a complaint with the Madrid Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, claiming that Rubiales’ actions constitute sexual assault.

Rubiales kissed women’s player Jenni Hermoso (No. 11) on the mouth without her consent

Spanish football chief Miguel Angel Galan has filed a complaint with the Public Prosecution Service

Galan, president of CENAFE – the country’s national school for football coaches – said: “I would like to file a complaint against Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, for committing an alleged crime of assault against the Spanish women’s football team. Jennifer Hermoso.

“This was an intolerable act of sexist behavior within our sport that could constitute an alleged felony of assault. I therefore request that a complaint be filed.’

Galan had already lodged a written complaint with the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD) and the Spanish FA (RFEF) itself, with his latest actions following the criminal route.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticized Rubiales and demanded that he explain the kiss. Mail sportsIan Herbert described Rubiales as “reptile-like” and “creepy,” while it emerged that Rubiales allegedly begged Hermoso to record an apology video with him.

According to Spanish outlet IFthe Spanish Football Federation convened an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the matter, while an internal investigation is ongoing. Rubiales is not thought to be considering stepping down despite the controversy.

He said in his apology, “There’s also something I regret and it’s about something that happened between a female player and myself, who have as great a relationship as I have with other female players. I must have made a mistake and I must admit it.

“In a moment of maximum excitement, without any ill intent or bad faith, what happened happened in a very spontaneous way, I repeat, without bad faith on either side… it has caused controversy in some industries and some people seem to to have done. I’m upset and that’s why I have to apologize … I have to learn from this.’

The news comes on the same day Mail sports reported that Spain coach Jorge Vilda appeared to grab the breast of a female staff member during the celebration of the World Cup final.

Rubiales’ controversial actions, for which he later apologized, have been widely criticized

Video footage taken seconds after Olga Carmona’s 29th-minute goal against the Lionesses shows Spain’s staff celebrating – and Vilda’s left hand appears to rest on the chest of a female member of staff.

There have also been complaints about Vilda’s behavior from the players, amid allegations that he created a controlling environment, with Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reporting that he forced players to keep their room doors open until midnight to self-check that they were there before they went to the club. sleep.

Vilda was reportedly responsible for closing the door and turning off the lights. These practices were stopped following complaints after the 2019 World Cup, but there are still heavy restrictions on their freedoms while in the camp.

Vilda’s scrutiny is said to be so excessive that he checks their bags when they return from a shopping spree, while players must also say who they meet when they want to leave camp, with all movements under strict supervision.

In 2022, 15 players wrote a letter to the Spanish Football Federation claiming they would not be available for selection as long as Vilda remained in his position, claiming he was ‘damaging their mental health’.