Luis Rubiales has been ordered to testify before a Spanish judge investigating an incident in which the former president of the Spanish Football Federation kissed a player at the Women’s World Cup.
Judge Francisco de Jorge Rubiales ordered his questions answered on Friday at the Spanish National Court in Madrid, according to court documents seen by him. Associated Press Tuesday.
Rubiales kissed Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso during the awards ceremony after Spain defeated England to win the title last month in Sydney, Australia. He said she agreed to the kiss, but Hermoso denied that.
Prosecutors in Spain formally charged Rubiales last week with alleged sexual assault and acts of coercion when, according to Hermoso, he pressured her to speak publicly in his defense immediately after the scandal broke.
On Sunday, Rubiales announced his resignation from his position, which had been temporarily suspended by FIFA.
De Jorge is conducting a preliminary investigation into the accusations against Rubiales, and will then decide whether the case should go to trial.
Under a sexual consent law passed in Spain last year, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of between one and four years if found guilty of sexual assault. The new law eliminated the difference between “sexual harassment” and “sexual assault,” and imposed penalties for any sexual act without consent.
Timeline of events in the Rubiales controversy
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Rubiales had previously refused to resign from the presidency of the Spanish Football Federation
August 20 – Rubiales kisses striker Hermoso on the lips during the World Cup final medal ceremony. Hermoso was later heard in a social media post saying she “didn’t like” the kiss.
August 20 – The Spanish Federation issued a statement on Hermoso’s behalf in which she was quoted as saying, “It was a completely spontaneous mutual gesture.”
August 21 – After Spain’s acting Minister of Culture and Sports, Mikel Isita, called his behavior “unacceptable”, Rubiales issued a video statement apologizing for his actions.
August 22 – Acting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described Rubiales’ behavior as “unacceptable” and his apology as “insufficient.”
August 24 – FIFA opens an investigation against Rubiales.
August 25 – A defiant Rubiales repeatedly insisted he would not resign in an extraordinary press conference.
August 25 – Spain’s World Cup-winning women’s national team has said it will not play any matches for its country until Rubiales is sacked.
August 25 – Hermoso accused the Spanish Football Federation of putting it under “constant pressure to come up with a statement that could justify the actions of Mr. Luis Rubiales.”
August 26 – The Spanish Football Federation threatens Hermoso with legal action over her statements. Rubiales was subsequently banned “from all football-related activities at national and international levels” for an initial period of 90 days by FIFA.
August 26 – Spain’s women’s coaching staff, with the exception of manager Jorge Villeda, are resigning en masse. Velda later criticized Rubiales’ behavior.
August 28 – Reports in Spain say that Rubiales’ mother, Angelis Bejar, is on a hunger strike after locking herself in a church to protest the “inhumane” treatment of her son at the hands of his critics.
September 5 – The Spanish Football Federation apologizes for the “serious damage” caused by Rubiales’ actions.
September 5 – Villeda was sacked as coach of the Spain national team, 16 days after leading the team to victory at the World Cup in Sydney.
September 6 – Hermoso officially files a complaint about Rubiales with the Spanish National Public Prosecutor’s Office.
September 10 – Rubiales announces his resignation from his position.
September 12 Rubiales was ordered to testify before a Spanish judge investigating his kiss with Hermoso.
