In the course of the kiss scandal, the Spanish soccer world champion Jennifer Hermoso has filed a complaint against the suspended head of the association Luis Rubiales. The news agency AFP reported on Wednesday, citing the public prosecutor. The prosecution will now be initiated “as soon as possible”, the authority said.
At the end of August, the public prosecutor’s office of the National Court of Justice in Spain opened a preliminary investigation against Rubiales for alleged sexual assault. Hermoso was then given 15 days “to be informed of her rights as a victim of alleged sexual assault” and, if necessary, “to file a complaint,” the authority said.
Rubiales had kissed Hermoso on the mouth at the award ceremony after the World Cup final victory. The case sparked a storm of indignation around the world. The world governing body FIFA temporarily banned Rubiales for 90 days, and the national sports administration court TAD is also dealing with the incident. Rubiales refused to voluntarily resign as head of the association.
The 46-year-old dismissed the blame, spoke of a “consensual kiss” and launched a sweeping attack on his critics. Hermoso, on the other hand, feels like a “victim of an assault” and vehemently denies the alleged consensus.
Vilda doesn’t think her own expulsion is fair
Meanwhile, world champion coach Jorge Vilda has spoken out for the first time a day after being kicked out by the Spanish FA. The 42-year-old does not understand the premature separation. “I will accept any criticism in sport, but personally I think it’s unfair,” Vilda told Cadena Ser in an interview on Wednesday. The Spanish football association RFEF announced the separation on Tuesday.
The Spanish world champion coach Jorge Vilda recalls the merits of the controversial association president Luis Rubiales. : Image: picture alliance / NurPhoto
Reasons for the termination of the contract, which was still valid for one year, were not given in the announcement, instead Vilda’s “impeccable personal and sporting behavior” was praised.
After turbulent months, he led the Spaniards to victory at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. His previous assistant, former international Montserrat Tomé (41), rose to head coach. Vilda had been in office since 2015.
Controversial applause
Things were said that weren’t true, Vilda said in the interview, without going into detail. According to his own statements, he was informed about his end as national coach by RFEF interim president Pedro Rocha, among others, and structural changes were discussed in the short conversation. “I think I was unfairly dismissed,” Vilda reiterated.
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He was also asked about his applause after Luis Rubiales’ remarkable defense speech. He would not applaud macho posturing, Vilda said, but also cited Rubiales’ merits. The budget for women’s football has quadrupled. It’s also difficult to be the only one not clapping when 150 people around you are applauding.
