After the attack on the Spanish national player Jennifer Hermoso, Luis Rubiales has probably also lost the last support in Spanish football. On Monday evening (28.08.23) the heads of the regional associations called on the president of the national federation RFEF to resign.
“After the recent events and the unacceptable behavior that has seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the Presidents demand that Luis Rubiales resign as RFEF President immediately”it said in a statement from the association after an extraordinary meeting of the regional presidents.
Public prosecutor directs preliminary examination a
The public prosecutor’s office had already taken action and launched a preliminary investigation against Rubiales for alleged sexual assault. According to media reports, the public prosecutor’s office at the national state court in Madrid will ask the player Jennifer Hermoso, who was kissed by Rubiales after the World Cup triumph in Australia, whether she wants to file a complaint. A judicial spokesman confirmed this on request. She should “within 15 days” report to “to be informed of their rights as a victim of alleged sexual assault” and if necessary “to report”wrote the authority.
FIFA suspended Rubiales
The public prosecutor is leaving “due to the unequivocal public statements” assumes that 33-year-old Hermoso could have been the victim of an alleged sexual assault, as it appears “no kind of consent” gave, it was said. However, the authority cannot act ex officio and, under Spanish law, requires a report from the player or a legal representative.
Hermoso had recently declared that she had herself “felt as the victim of an impulsive, sexist and inappropriate act that I did not consent to”. World governing body FIFA has suspended Rubiales for 90 days and initiated disciplinary proceedings. The Spanish sports court Tad is also dealing with the case at the request of the government in Madrid. Rubiales has so far refused to step down as RFEF President.
“If the TAD accepts the government’s lawsuit, we will immediately suspend the President from his duties”, Sports Minister Miquel Iceta told El Pais daily. Penalties range from a fine to a 15-year ban.
Rubiale’s mother goes on hunger strike to attract media attention
Meanwhile, according to media reports, Rubiales’ mother is said to have gone on a hunger strike. The woman got out on Monday in protest against what she believes “inhuman and bloody hunt” locked on her son in a church in the Andalusian city of Motril in the south of the country, state television broadcaster RTVE and other local media reported.
In the evening, dozens of people gathered in front of the church alongside media representatives to demonstrate for Rubiales. Many of the participants, men and women of all ages, carried placards saying how “STOP hunting Rubiales. It’s enough!” or “Jenni, why aren’t you telling the truth?”. The police estimated the number of demonstrators at 200 on request, the Europa Press news agency reported.