WORLD Cup Champion Jenni Hermoso has presented a complaint of sexual assault against Luis Ruibiales to the Spanish prosecutors office.
The footballer has laid low after FA president Luis Rubiales, 46, kissed her on the lips at last month’s final — sparking outrage.
State prosecutors are now expected to ask a Spanish court to place the 46-year-old under criminal investigation in the next few days.
It’s the first formal complaint from Hermoso, 33, following the non consensual kiss after Spain’s victory.
She lodged the sexual assault complaint in person at the State Attorney General’s Office – as the public ministry will present an official complaint soon against Rubiales soon.
A judge at Spain’s Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid would be tasked with conducting the probe and decide whether Rubiales should face charges before inviting prosecutors to indict the suspended Spanish FA president.
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Spain’s Minister of Equality, Irene Montero, tweeted shortly after the news broke: “Jenni Hermoso, you are not alone. There are millions of us with you.”
It comes less than a day after Spanish football manager Vilda was sacked, after his entire coaching team resigned in protest over the kiss scandal.
Vilda himself was not without controversy and was snubbed by his own players during the post-match celebrations after beating England.
Vilda guided Spain to their first Women’s World Cup triumph last month, beating England in the final.
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He was also mired in controversy going into the tournament with a number of players refusing to play for the national team because of him.
In a statement, it was explained that the decision was “one of the first renewal measures announced by (stand-in) president Pedro Rocha.”
The lengthy statement went on to praise Vilda for his achievements in charge of the side, most notably their World Cup success.
It read: “The RFEF would like to express its gratitude to Jorge Vilda for the services provided, for his professionalism and dedication during all these years, wishing him the best successes in the future.”
One name has refused to step down – Luis Rubiales – who continues to deny any wrongdoing.
The disgraced Spanish FA president has refused to resign over the incident, despite facing intense backlash.
Last week, Rubiales, who may face prosecution, reportedly sent new footage — in which Spain’s Hermoso laughs and jokes about the incident — to football governing body Fifa.
But one anti-domestic abuse campaigner said Rubiales was deluded if he thought it would exonerate him.
Teresa Parker, who developed a campaign in football for Women’s Aid, said it was wrong to pressure Hermoso to change her story.
She added: “If a woman says she didn’t consent, she didn’t consent, it is that straightforward.”
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Colleagues have joined her in refusing to play for their country until Rubiales is axed.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
