The crisis in Spanish football escalated on Friday as almost all world champions called for more heads to roll against the federation, the day former boss Luis Rubiales was banned from approaching Jenni Hermoso, the player he coached at the had forcibly kissed her during the World Cup.
• Also read: Spain: A man was arrested after putting his hand on a journalist’s buttocks live
• Also read: Forced kiss scandal: Luis Rubiales resigns
“The changes that have taken place are not enough,” wrote 21 of the 23 world champions in a press release, in a text spread on social networks in particular by the double Ballon d’Or, Alexia Putellas.
“We need radical changes in the leadership positions” of the Spanish Federation (RFEF), which is still in the hands of men appointed by Rubiales, they insist in this text signed by 39 players, published at the exact moment , when the new coach Montse Tomé was to present his list of players for the games on September 22nd and 26th against Sweden and Switzerland in the Nations League.
In this context, the association announced that it would postpone the publication of this list indefinitely.
The Spanish players therefore link their return to the selection to the “resignation of the interim president” Pedro Rocha, to the “restructuring of the organizational chart of women’s football” or even to that of the “Presidential Cabinet and the General Secretariat”. the instance.
In recent days, the association had nevertheless expressed optimism about the return of the world champion, highlighting the dismissal of women’s coach Jorge Vilda, whose methods were controversial, and in particular the resignation of Luis Rubiales as president on Sunday.
In the evening, the RFEF reiterated its “commitment” to making changes within the institution, clarifying that these “will be implemented as quickly as possible and gradually”.
And she supported Pedro Rocha, who “will lead the transition process within the RFEF until the next elections.” This election could take place in the first quarter of 2024, a source within the RFEF indicated.
Rubiales before the judge
The former head of Spanish football responded for the first time before a judge on Friday to the allegations of “sexual assault” made against him over his forced kiss to N.10 Jennifer Hermoso after the world crowning of “Roja” on August 20 in Sydney were raised, triggering a wave of international outrage.
At the end of the closed hearing, the judge in charge of the investigation, Francisco de Jorge, banned Luis Rubiales from getting within 200 meters of Jenni Hermoso and from making contact with the attacker, who plays in the Mexican championship.
Wearing a dark blue suit, the 46-year-old former president of the association presented himself at the Madrid National Court of Justice at the end of the morning without making any statement to the dozens of journalists present.
According to a source close to the prosecution, he again denied the allegations before the judge and reiterated that this kiss was consensual. In an interview with a British journalist that was broadcast on Tuesday, he had already spoken of “a mutual act”.
It was “nothing other than a moment of happiness, of great joy,” he continued, denying any action with a “sexual connotation”: “My intentions were noble, 100% non-sexual, 100%, I repeat 100%.”
A version disputed by Jenni Hermoso, 33, who filed a complaint.
No immediate decision
The player’s lawyer, Carla Vall, reiterated in court on Friday that this “kiss was not consensual” and welcomed the fact that “thanks to this video, everyone, the whole country, could see that there was no consent in any way.” .”
At the end of his investigation, the judge in charge of the case must decide whether Rubiales will be brought to trial or not. As the investigation has just begun, no decision is expected in the short term.
Since a recent reform of Spain’s penal code, a non-consensual kiss can be considered sexual assault, a crime category that includes all types of sexual violence. According to a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office, the penalties for Rubiales, 46, range from a fine to four years in prison.
The judiciary also confirmed a violation of coercion, also denied by Rubiales, because, according to the prosecutor’s office, “Jenni Hermoso stated that she and her entourage had been subjected to constant pressure from Mr. Rubiales and his professional entourage, which justifies this” and is true to the facts.