NEW DELHI: Jenni Hermoso, a player from the Spanish women's soccer team, has taken legal action by filing a criminal complaint against Luis Rubiales, the suspended president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), for his unwanted kiss on her lips during the Women's World Cup final.
A source from Spain's public prosecutors' office in Madrid confirmed the filing of the complaint, which occurred on Tuesday.
This complaint is a pivotal step in a preliminary investigation initiated by prosecutors at Spain's top criminal court, focusing on the alleged crime of "sexual assault," which will enable the legal process to advance.
Rubiales faced widespread backlash after forcibly kissing Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain's victory in Sydney on August 20.
In the aftermath, Hermoso publicly expressed her feelings of vulnerability and being a victim of assault, describing the act as an "impulsive, macho act" that occurred without her consent, as stated in her social media statement.
Rubiales, in contrast, maintains that the kiss was consensual.
Last week, the National Court announced the launch of a preliminary investigation due to the unequivocal nature of Hermoso's statements, aiming to determine the legal significance of the incident.
FIFA, the governing body of world football, provisionally suspended Rubiales for 90 days after he declined to resign from his position.
The incident prompted a strike by 81 women players in protest of Rubiales's response, during which he criticised "false feminism." Additionally, in the aftermath of the scandal, the RFEF terminated the contract of Spain women's coach Jorge Vilda.
(With AFP inputs)
