Spanish Football Association President's 'Forced Kiss' Scandal Spreads... Prosecutors Launch Preliminary Investigation

Prosecutors Suggest "Providing Players Opportunity to File Lawsuits"
Chairman's Mother Claims Son's Innocence, Starts Hunger Strike
Association Requests UEFA to Suspend International Tournament Participation
"La Liga Clubs May Be Barred from Champions League"

An investigation has begun into Luis Rubiales, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), who was suspended for 90 days after forcibly kissing a female football player on stage during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup award ceremony in Australia and New Zealand. The situation escalated to the point where the Spanish Football Federation requested a halt to the Spanish national team’s participation in international competitions to protect Rubiales, raising concerns that the current crisis could also impact the European Champions League.

Luis Rubiales, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to Bloomberg and other sources on the 28th (local time), prosecutors at the Spanish National High Court announced that they have launched a preliminary investigation after receiving a third-party criminal complaint alleging that Rubiales’ actions constitute a sexual offense. The prosecution stated, "The National Court’s prosecutor has initiated a preliminary investigation to examine the facts of this case, which may constitute a sexual crime," and indicated that Jenifer Hermoso, the player who was forcibly kissed, will be given the opportunity to file a lawsuit.

On the 20th, during the award ceremony that concluded with Spain’s victory at the World Cup, Rubiales grabbed the face of Hermoso, a member of the national team, and kissed her. This moment was broadcast live. Subsequently, Hermoso expressed that she "did not feel good" about the incident, and accusations of sexual misconduct spread.

Footpro, the labor union to which Hermoso belongs, demanded that Rubiales’ surprise kiss be punished. Moreover, Spanish government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda D?az and Prime Minister Pedro S?nchez, criticized Rubiales’ behavior as an "unacceptable gesture."

Initially, Rubiales tried to downplay the situation by saying, "Everyone is talking nonsense," but later issued a belated apology claiming the act was done with Hermoso’s consent. However, calls for his resignation had already grown uncontrollably. FIFA also imposed a "90-day suspension" on Rubiales on the 26th and launched an additional investigation.

As the situation unfolded, Rubiales claimed the kiss was consensual, accused Hermoso of lying, retracted his apology, and is now confronting the issue with legal action instead of resigning.

Rubiales’ mother, ?ngeles Bejar, began a hunger strike inside a church, asserting her son’s innocence. Outside the church, Rubiales’ cousin told reporters, "What is happening now seems unfair. He has already been criticized, and his family is suffering greatly," and expressed hope that Hermoso "will tell the truth."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The crisis is expected to continue. With judicial authorities directly involved and the Spanish political sphere taking the matter seriously and voicing strong opinions, protests demanding Rubiales’ resignation have erupted across Spain.

Hermoso has shown determination to fight back despite pressure from Rubiales and others. Furthermore, Hermoso, along with the 23 players who won the World Cup and other female footballers, declared that they will not participate in national team matches unless Rubiales resigns.

There are also predictions that this incident could affect Spanish men’s football. The Spanish Football Federation requested UEFA to suspend the Spanish football team’s participation in international competitions, citing government interference as a reason to protect Rubiales. The Guardian reported that this is seen as an attempt to prevent Rubiales’ resignation, and if enforced, could result in La Liga clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona being unable to participate in the Champions League.

However, a source told the Associated Press that UEFA is unlikely to comply with the Spanish Football Federation’s request. Additionally, after the Federation’s request to suspend international competition participation, regional association leaders demanded that Rubiales immediately resign and called for the withdrawal of such demands.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.