Spain's High Court prosecutor on Monday opened a preliminary investigation into whether national football chief Luis Rubiales might have committed an act of sexual aggression when he grabbed player Jenni Hermoso and kissed her on the lips after Spain's victory in the women's World Cup.
A spokesperson for the prosecutor's office said the court had received several complaints but would only launch a full inquiry if Hermoso sought one.
She has said she did not want to be kissed. The move increased the pressure on Rubiales, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), who was suspended by Fifa on Saturday amid a furore over the incident at the ceremony following Spain's World Cup win in Sydney on August 20th.
RFEF regional chiefs were locked in a marathon meeting on Monday to evaluate the situation, which has spiralled into a national row over women's rights, macho behaviour and sexual abuse.