Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales could potentially face up to four years in prison if found guilty of sexual assault and coercion. Prosecutor Marta Durantez Gil has lodged a complaint against Rubiales in Spain’s high court, alleging that he engaged in non-consensual kissing with female player Jenni Hermoso, as well as subjecting her and her family to constant pressure to justify and approve the incident.
The complaint also requests that Rubiales be placed under formal investigation to determine if he can be charged with criminal offenses. The Spanish prosecutor’s office has stated that a sexual assault conviction could result in a prison sentence ranging from one to four years.
This legal action follows Hermoso’s own criminal complaint against Rubiales, in which she accused him of sexual assault. Rubiales had previously claimed that the kiss was consensual, but Hermoso denied this.
The scandal has had repercussions within the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), with several key figures calling for Rubiales’ resignation. However, he has so far refused to step down. FIFA, the international governing body for football, has imposed a 90-day suspension on Rubiales while conducting its own investigation.
Jorge Vilda, the coach of the Spanish team that won the Women’s World Cup in Australia, initially refrained from criticizing Rubiales but later condemned his actions. Vilda was subsequently fired on September 5. Prior to his dismissal, several members of Vilda’s coaching staff had resigned, and 81 female players indicated their refusal to represent the national team as long as Rubiales remained associated with it.
The case has attracted significant attention in the media and on social platforms, with people expressing their views and sharing the news. To provide further context and information, the complaint lodged against Rubiales suggests that the alleged harassment and coercion suffered by Hermoso substantially impeded her ability to live freely and peacefully.
As the legal proceedings develop, the future for Rubiales remains uncertain. The potential consequences include a significant prison sentence, tarnishing his reputation and causing further damage to the RFEF’s standing. The outcome of the investigations and any subsequent legal action will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for Spanish football.
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