Ex-Spain Football Boss Luis Rubiales In Court Over World Cup Kiss Scandal

15.09.2023 - 15:01 sports.ndtv.com

Five days after resigning as Spain's football chief, Luis Rubiales appeared before a judge on Friday investigating a complaint of sexual assault over forcibly kissing women's World Cup player Jenni Hermoso.

His hearing came as the World Cup-winning footballers said they would continue their boycott of the national team unless there are more reforms at the Spanish football federation, despite Rubiales' resignation over the affair.

Dozens of journalists were on hand as the 46-year-old left Madrid's Audiencia Nacional court after he was questioned by Judge Francisco de Jorge who is heading up the investigation.

Rubiales did not speak to the press. He was questioned at the closed-door hearing as a defendant in regards to allegations of "sexual assault".

Football FIFA Celebrity UPS cup Jenni Hermoso Luis Rubiales Spain

FIFA moved to block potential witness tampering by Luis Rubiales when its disciplinary committee suspended the now-ousted Spanish soccer president, the sport's governing body said in a written verdict explaining the decision.

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MADRID: Between six and nine senior officials of Spain's football federation (RFEF) will be invited to leave their jobs or will be sacked as part of a deal to end a threatened player boycott of the national team, a federation source told Reuters.

Restraining order imposed on ex-Spain football boss Rubiales as he testifies in sexual assault probe

MADRID: Spain's High Court on Friday (Sep 15) imposed a restraining order to prevent former soccer chief Luis Rubiales approaching national team player Jenni Hermoso, as he appeared in court to be investigated for sexual assault for kissing her on the lips. The incident, which occurred at the medal ceremony after Spain's women's team won the World Cup in Sydney, Australia, on Aug 20, has triggered a furore over sexism in Spanish sport and society and prompted protests similar to the "Me Too" movement. Rubiales, 46, insists the kiss was consensual, while Hermoso says it was forced on her. The order prevents Rubiales trying to contact Hermoso or coming within 200 metres of her, according to a court statement. Judge Francisco de Jorge rejected a request by the prosecution that Rubiales should report to the court every two weeks. Dressed in a black suit over a white shirt, Rubiales left the High Court in Madrid with his lawyer Olga Tubau following a closed-door investigative hearing that lasted about an hour.

Ex-Spain football boss in court over World Cup kiss scandal

MADRID: Five days after resigning as Spain's football chief, Luis Rubiales is due in court on Friday (Sep 15) on sexual assault charges over forcibly kissing women's World Cup player Jenni Hermoso.

"Kiss Was Consented, 100 Percent Non-Sexual": Luis Rubiales On FIFA World Cup Final Controversy

Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales continued to insist his kiss on Jenni Hermoso's lips after the Women's World Cup final was "a mutual act", in an interview broadcast Tuesday in the United Kingdom. World Cup-winning Spain midfielder Hermoso, 33, says the kiss was not consensual and a Spanish judge has summoned Rubiales to appear in court on Friday in a sexual assault investigation. Rubiales, who stood down from his post on Sunday, three weeks after the incident during the final medal ceremony following Spain's Sydney triumph, maintains his version is the "truth".