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Luis Rubiales on his way to the court in Madrid
Photo: SUSANA VERA / REUTERS
The controversial ex-president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, was charged last week with coercion and sexual assault by the public prosecutor's office. On Friday, he appeared in Madrid for a first hearing before the National Court of Justice and denied both allegations.
In the one-hour hearing in camera, Rubiales answered questions from Judge Francisco de Jorge. Outside the court, neither Rubiales nor his defense attorney Olga Tubau commented on the case in front of the assembled media.
Rubiales had kissed national player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth at the medal ceremony after the World Cup final without being asked. The charges against him came after Hermoso testified to the prosecution. Among other things, the 46-year-old is said to have put Hermoso under pressure immediately after the outbreak of the scandal, with the aim that the world champion should publicly defend Rubiales.
The public prosecutor's office requested an injunction against Rubiales, which would prohibit the ex-president of the federation from approaching and communicating with Hermoso at more than 500 meters. In addition, he should report to the court every 15 days to prevent him from fleeing abroad. Judge de Jorge, who is taking over the preliminary investigation into the case and deciding whether to indict the case, must now also decide on this application.
According to the sexual consent law passed in Spain last year, Rubiales faces a fine or prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty of sexual assault. The new law abolished the distinction between "sexual harassment" and "sexual assault," making any non-consensual sexual act a punishable offense.
cf/AP