Jenni Hermoso has had the support of the world after Luis Rubiales, the country’s soccer federation president, kissed her during the medals ceremony back in August.
Now that we are in a new month, she has reportedly decided to pursue legal action against Luis Rubiales for kissing her on the lips without her consent immediately after the country’s World Cup win.
Hermoso, a forward on Spain’s national women’s soccer team, offered testimony Tuesday, Reuters reported, noting “the complaint will be processed ‘as soon as possible.’”
ESPN Barcelona correspondent Sam Marsden reported Hermoso has accused the now-suspended Spanish Football president of sexual assault and will press charges.
The incident unfolded on Aug. 20, when Hermoso and her teammates were taking part in the gold medal ceremony in Sydney, Australia, as Spain celebrated its win over England in the Women’s World Cup final.
Rubiales planted a kiss on Hermoso’s lips.
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Shortly after the kiss, Hermoso said the “kiss was not consensual” and that she “felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression, an impulsive, sexist act.”
In a statement from her lawyers:
The behavior of Rubiales could be deemed as sexual harassment on the basis of current Spanish legislation. [The legislation] punishes such misconduct with 1-2 years in prison and 18-24 months of professional disqualification.
All 23 players of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad have said they will not play for their country again as long as Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales remains in charge.
Rubiales, who has since been suspended by FIFA for 90 days in the wake of the ordeal, “could face criminal charges” with the complaint.
Rubiales has refused to resign from his post amid the public outcry.
