Luis Rubiales

Spanish prosecutors want the ex-head of the country’s football federation to be jailed for two-and-a-half years after he kissed a female footballer following Spain’s World Cup victory. Luis Rubiales is facing charges of sexual assault and coercion over a non-consensual kiss on the mouth he gave to Jenni Hermoso last August. Hermoso and her teammates said the kiss was unwanted and demeaning. Rubiales was forced to resign but has denied any wrongdoing. According to a court document seen by Reuters, prosecutor Marta Durantez charged Rubiales with one count of sexual assault and one of coercion for his alleged actions in…

An internal investigation has been launched by Spain’s football federation after its sexual violence protocol was activated. Federation president Luis Rubiales has been suspended by Fifa after kissing forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup win. Hermoso, 33, has said the kiss after last Sunday’s game was not consensual. Maria Dolores Martinez Madrona, the protocol’s protection delegate, said the matter is now being investigated. “Our protocol is currently activated and in the midst of investigating the events, thus we demand the utmost respect for the right to privacy and dignity of all individuals involved,” she said in a…

Luis Rubiales has refused to step down as president of the Spanish football federation following his behaviour at the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday. Rubiales, 46, kissed forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England. He had earlier grabbed his crotch as he celebrated at the final whistle. “I will not resign, I will not resign,” he told an extraordinary general assembly called by the federation. “A social assassination is taking place.” Rubiales apologised for the kiss on Monday before Fifa, world football’s governing body, opened disciplinary proceedings against him on Thursday. On Friday he…