Former Spanish Football Federation head Luis Rubiales is scheduled to appear in court on Friday as part of the investigation concerning his forcible kiss on Jenni Hermoso’s lips following the Women’s World Cup final.
Rubiales has been asked to appear before an examining magistrate at 1200 local time (1000 GMT) on Tuesday “to be heard as an accused” and to reply to allegations of “sexual assault,” according to a Madrid court statement.
The 46-year-old kissed Hermoso after Spain’s victory in Sydney on August 20, which she claims was not consensual, while Rubiales claims it was.
On Monday, Judge Francisco de Jorge of the National Court acknowledged the admission of a complaint against Rubiales.
The case was submitted by Spanish prosecutors last week and pertains to alleged offences of sexual assault and coercion.
According to a recent amendment to the Spanish penal code, the act of engaging in a non-consensual kiss has been classified as sexual assault, falling within the legal framework of sexual violence.
Also the criminal category encompasses several forms of sexual aggression.
PUNCH METRO reported that Rubiales stepped down as the Spanish football federation’s president on Sunday but continued to defend himself over the kiss.
“I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power so that it prevails,” Rubiales wrote in an open letter
