{"id":99217,"date":"2023-09-12T10:13:34","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T10:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/09\/12\/spanish-judge-opens-investigation-over-luis-rubiales-world-cup\/"},"modified":"2023-09-12T10:13:34","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T10:13:34","slug":"spanish-judge-opens-investigation-over-luis-rubiales-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/09\/12\/spanish-judge-opens-investigation-over-luis-rubiales-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Spanish judge opens investigation over Luis Rubiales\u00a0World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A Spanish high court judge has opened an investigation of former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales.<\/p>\n

Spain forward\u00a0Jenni Hermoso filed a legal complaint\u00a0last week over Rubiales kissing her on the lips following her country\u2019s Women\u2019s World Cup final win.<\/p>\n

Hermoso, 33, said the kiss was not consensual, while Rubiales claimed it was \u201cmutual\u201d and \u201cconsensual\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Rubiales quit as Spanish FA president as a result of the controversy.<\/p>\n

Last week, Prosecutor Marta Durantez Gil filed a complaint with Spain\u2019s high court against Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion.<\/p>\n

On Monday, Judge Francisco de Jorge of the National Court accepted the complaint.<\/p>\n

A magistrate will be assigned to lead an investigation, which will conclude either with a recommendation for the case to go to trial or be dismissed.<\/p>\n

The charge of sexual assault under Spanish law can carry a punishment ranging from a fine to four years in prison.<\/p>\n

Pachuca player Hermoso released a long statement on social media on 25 August saying the kiss was not \u201cconsensual\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel the need to report this incident because I believe no person, in any work, sports or social setting should be a victim of these types of non-consensual behaviours. I felt vulnerable and a victim of impulsive-driven, sexist, out-of-place act, without any consent on my part,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite simply, I was not respected.\u201d<\/p>\n

De la Fuente on Rubiales resignation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spain men\u2019s coach Luis de la Fuente\u00a0asked for \u201cforgiveness\u201d\u00a0after applauding the speech in which Rubiales said he would not resign for kissing Hermoso.<\/p>\n

Asked about the resignation of Rubiales prior to his side\u2019s game against Cyprus on Tuesday, De la Fuente said: \u201cIn here we think about football and we live in a bubble to be isolated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we have to focus on football and on what we football professionals can control.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have total and absolute respect for the decision taken by Mr Rubiales. People make decisions when they think they have to make them.\u201d<\/p>\n

De la Fuente was also questioned on whether he felt the need to send a message to Rubiales, who hired him as manager in December.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been working at the RFEF for 11 years. I have lived a long time before Luis Rubiales arrived,\u201d added De la Fuente.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a football coach. Nobody has gifted me anything, I have earned it. I am grateful to all the people who have helped me throughout my life. And, no, I have not spoken to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

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