The sports world is reeling from a troubling incident at the Women’s World Cup in which former Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales is accused of forcibly kissing forward Jennifer Hermoso following the Red team’s victory. The incident has stirred fresh controversy in Spain, with Hermoso filing a complaint with the National Court of Spain, alleging that she was subjected to an unwanted kiss and coercive behavior.
Under a 2015 amendment to the Spanish Penal Code, non-consensual kissing is considered sexual assault and is punishable by up to four years in prison. Rubiales has been summoned to testify as an investigated on September 15th and the magistrate has accepted the complaint against him.
The controversy has culminated in Rubiales’ resignation on Sunday, where he also stated that he has “faith in the truth and will do everything in his power to make it prevail.”
The controversy has caused an uproar in Spain and other soccer organizations, with the Spanish Federation of Professional Footballers and the Spanish Women’s Soccer League showing their support for Hermoso. There is a committed effort to protect players from sexual harassment and coercion. Advocating for justice and accountability in this case has been seen as a crucial milestone in advancing gender equality and creating safe spaces for women in sports.
This is indeed a historic moment for Spanish women’s soccer and Spanish sports in general. As we await the magistrate’s ruling, it is important to remember that this case serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting and protecting athletes and enforcing clear boundaries.
With information from AFP