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13 Sep 2023


Japan v Spain: Group E - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 01: Royal Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales looks on prior ... [+] to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Japan and Spain at Khalifa International Stadium on December 01, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Former Spain Football Federation president Luis Rubiales will testify before a Madrid court this week on charges of sexual assault and coercion after allegedly kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent following the team’s Women’s World Cup win.

Rubiales, who has faced a storm of criticism for his incident, has been summoned by a high court judge to respond to those accusations after Hermoso filed a legal complaint against him for the non-consensual kiss.

The incident took place during the medal ceremony of the World Cup final in Sydney, Australia last month after Spain defeated England 1-0 in the match to win their first world title.

Spain v England: Final - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20: President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales (R) ... [+] kisses Jennifer Hermoso of Spain (L) during the medal ceremony of FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Noemi Llamas/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

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Under Spanish law, the charge of sexual assault can carry a punishment ranging from a fine to four years in prison.

Rubiales is due to appear before a magistrate on Friday at noon.

The 46-year-old, who has not apologized for the kiss, has called the kiss consensual, but Hermoso says otherwise, prompting prosecutors to bring forth the sexual assault claim.

The act of coercion claim was added due to Hermoso saying she was pressured by Rubiales to defend him after backlash ensued, the Associated Press reported.

The BBC reported that on Monday, Judge Francisco de Jorge of the National Court accepted the complaint and assigned a magistrate to investigate the case. After completing an investigation, the magistrate will then either make a recommendation for the case to go to trial or be dismissed.

Previously, a Spanish court said Rubiales’ offenses against Hermoso were “serious”—but not “very serious.”

Rubiales will be appearing in court just days after he resigned as the Spanish FA’s chief.

On Sunday, he stepped down after weeks of defending himself against claims of sexual misconduct.

Rubiales said it was "evident" he would not be able to return to his position of president after a suspension by soccer’s governing body FIFA, an internal investigation launched by his federation and potential criminal sexual assault charges.

He has also resigned from his position as vice-president of European soccer’s governing body UEFA’s EFA executive committee.

Several women hold a banner of

GIJON, ASTURIAS, SPAIN - 2023/09/01: Several women hold a banner of "No to the repression of the ... [+] working class" during the rally against Luis Rubiales. The head of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, kissed midfielder Jennifer Hermoso on the lips. (Photo by Alberto Brevers/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

The outrage against Rubiales has only grown in recent weeks, with athletes and teams across the world offering their support to Hermoso, while the United Nations' human rights office posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling for the incident to be a "turning point" in the sexual harassment and abuse endured by female athletes.

Rubiales had initially refused to resign, prompting 81 current and former Spain women's team internationals to announce that they would not play for the national team again under the current regime.

ESPN reported that for now, the 81 players remain unavailable for selection, but they have had dialogue with the Spanish FA in recent days to discuss the terms of a possible return.