The Prosecutor’s Office has asked the judge of the National Court Francisco de Jorge to establish precautionary measures for Luis Rubiales after testifying for the non-consensual kiss of the world soccer champion Jenni Hermoso. Both the lieutenant prosecutor and the player’s defense have demanded a 500-meter restraining order with respect to Hermoso, as well as the prohibition of communicating with her by any means during the investigation, and biweekly appearances in court to certify that she is still available. of justice, according to legal sources.
Rubiales has testified before the head of the Central Court of Instruction number 1, answering questions from all parties and denying both the lack of consent in the action of the kiss and the subsequent coercion attributed to Jenni Hermoso. After the statement, Rubiales left the National Court without making a statement and, accompanied by his lawyer, Olga Tubau, took a taxi, waiting for the judge to resolve the requests.
For her part, the player’s lawyer, Carla Vall, has detailed that Hermoso is affected by the situation and has defended that it was a “humiliating” act. However, she believes that they will be able to certify that that kiss was not consensual. Now, the judge must decide on the precautionary measures requested and what new procedures should be carried out. “Everyone and the entire country observed how it was not consensual and we will demonstrate it in the courtroom,” the lawyer stressed.
After the worldwide controversy, Rubiales had an appointment at noon before the judge of the National Court Francisco de Jorge to appear for an alleged crime of sexual assault and another of coercion. The instructor has accepted a complaint filed by the Prosecutor’s Office for processing.
The former president of the federation began at 12:00 to be questioned by the judge, prosecutor and Hermoso’s defense. Being under investigation, he could have refused to answer the questions of all or any of those present, but he has chosen to respond to all parties, in a statement that lasted around an hour.
Since the controversy broke out, Rubiales has insisted time and time again that the kiss was consensual and that it was an act of affection in a moment of euphoria after winning the World Cup. The gesture went around the world. FIFA, the UN, personalities from around the world have taken a position to warn that what happened was intolerable.
Jennifer Hermoso voluntarily went to the Prosecutor’s Office to explain that she feels like a victim of aggression. Rubiales has also had to argue whether he or those around him pressured Hermoso or her family to go public and position himself next to her, downplaying the importance of the kiss.
“The situation caused me a shock due to the context of the celebration and with the passage of time and, after delving a little deeper into those first sensations, I feel the need to report this fact since I consider that no person in any field of work, sports or social should be a victim of non-consensual behavior,” the player clarified publicly in a statement.
Since early in the morning, media expectation at the doors of the National Court has been high. More than a hundred journalists, cameras and photographers were stationed behind a fence at the courthouse to capture Rubiales’ image.
The former president of the RFEF has arrived almost an hour before the appointment, accompanied by his lawyer Olga Tubau, known for achieving the acquittal of the Mossos d’Esquadra major Josep Lluis Trapero for the role of the autonomous body during the celebration of the referendum of the October 1, 2017.
During his statement, Rubiales, investigated for an alleged crime of sexual assault and coercion, defended that the kiss was consensual; It was a kiss of respect or affection, which would be outside the scope of the crime of sexual assault.
