SEXUAL ASSAULT scandal
Graham Keeley
Wed, 27 September 2023
Jenni Hermoso (left) with ex-manager Jorge Vilda - Alex Pantling/Getty Images
The former manager of Spain’s women’s football team has been placed under investigation for allegedly forcing Jenni Hermoso to sign a statement supporting Luis Rubiales over the World Cup kiss scandal.
Jorge Vilda must now appear at the Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid, Spain’s top criminal court, on Oct 10 over the case.
Mr Vilda, who was sacked in the wake of the controversy, has previously denied reports he pressured Ms Hermoso to put out a statement exonerating Mr Rubiales, the ex-president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
But Judge Francisco De Jorge, who is investigating the Aug 20 incident, expanded the scope of a sexual assault probe on Wednesday to include Mr Vilda over the claims.
Judge De Jorge also said he was investigating Albert Luque, the director of the men’s squad, and Rubén Rivera, the RFEF’s head of marketing. The pair had initially been summoned as witnesses in the case.
Graham Keeley
Wed, 27 September 2023
Jenni Hermoso (left) with ex-manager Jorge Vilda - Alex Pantling/Getty Images
The former manager of Spain’s women’s football team has been placed under investigation for allegedly forcing Jenni Hermoso to sign a statement supporting Luis Rubiales over the World Cup kiss scandal.
Jorge Vilda must now appear at the Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid, Spain’s top criminal court, on Oct 10 over the case.
Mr Vilda, who was sacked in the wake of the controversy, has previously denied reports he pressured Ms Hermoso to put out a statement exonerating Mr Rubiales, the ex-president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
But Judge Francisco De Jorge, who is investigating the Aug 20 incident, expanded the scope of a sexual assault probe on Wednesday to include Mr Vilda over the claims.
Judge De Jorge also said he was investigating Albert Luque, the director of the men’s squad, and Rubén Rivera, the RFEF’s head of marketing. The pair had initially been summoned as witnesses in the case.
THE SEXUAL ASSAULT
Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso - Noemi Llamas/Eurasia Sport Images
Mr Rubiales is facing sexual assault charges over last month’s allegedly non-consensual kiss at the World Cup final in Sydney, which sparked an international debate over sexism in football and a revolt by the national team.
He was RFEF head at the time but has since resigned, making his first appearance in court on Sept 15, when Judge De Jorge imposed a restraining order on him.
The order forbade Mr Rubiales from communicating with or coming within 200 metres of Ms Hermoso.
Ms Hermoso had initially added her name to a statement supporting Mr Rubiales but later said she did not consent to the kiss and it left her feeling “vulnerable and a victim of an aggression”.
Mr Rubiales insists the kiss was consensual.
Judge De Jorge’s investigation will determine if a trial should be held.
Under new legislation introduced last year, Mr Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of up to four years if found guilty of sexual assault.
Mr Rubiales is also facing coercion charges after Hermoso said she “had suffered constant ongoing pressure by Luis Rubiales and his professional entourage to justify and condone” his actions, court documents show.
Mr Rubiales initially attempted to brush off the scandal provoked by the kiss after the team’s 1-0 victory over England.
But as pressure increased football’s world governing body Fifa moved to suspend him, prompting his mother to embark on a short-lived hunger strike at what she called the “inhumane and bloodthirsty” persecution of her son.
In the wake of the scandal, 39 Spanish players went on strike demanding changes in the RFEF including “zero tolerance” for anyone infringing on the dignity of women’s football.
Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso - Noemi Llamas/Eurasia Sport Images
Mr Rubiales is facing sexual assault charges over last month’s allegedly non-consensual kiss at the World Cup final in Sydney, which sparked an international debate over sexism in football and a revolt by the national team.
He was RFEF head at the time but has since resigned, making his first appearance in court on Sept 15, when Judge De Jorge imposed a restraining order on him.
The order forbade Mr Rubiales from communicating with or coming within 200 metres of Ms Hermoso.
Ms Hermoso had initially added her name to a statement supporting Mr Rubiales but later said she did not consent to the kiss and it left her feeling “vulnerable and a victim of an aggression”.
Mr Rubiales insists the kiss was consensual.
Judge De Jorge’s investigation will determine if a trial should be held.
Under new legislation introduced last year, Mr Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of up to four years if found guilty of sexual assault.
Mr Rubiales is also facing coercion charges after Hermoso said she “had suffered constant ongoing pressure by Luis Rubiales and his professional entourage to justify and condone” his actions, court documents show.
Mr Rubiales initially attempted to brush off the scandal provoked by the kiss after the team’s 1-0 victory over England.
But as pressure increased football’s world governing body Fifa moved to suspend him, prompting his mother to embark on a short-lived hunger strike at what she called the “inhumane and bloodthirsty” persecution of her son.
In the wake of the scandal, 39 Spanish players went on strike demanding changes in the RFEF including “zero tolerance” for anyone infringing on the dignity of women’s football.
Judge says ex-women's World Cup coach Vilda under investigation
AFP
Wed, 27 September 2023
Jorge Vilda (R) is known for being close to Luis Rubiales (L) (Saeed Khan)
Spain's controversial former women's coach Jorge Vilda is being investigated as part of the legal probe into Luis Rubiales over the World Cup kiss scandal, court documents showed Wednesday.
Vilda and two others have been "summoned as suspects" to appear before investigating judge Francisco de Jorge on October 10, said a statement from Spain's Audiencia National court.
It identified the other two as Albert Luque, director of the men's national team, and Ruben Rivera, marketing director for the Spanish football federation (RFEF).
The court did not clarify precisely the nature of the suspicion surrounding Vilda.
Rubiales is facing sexual assault charges after kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain beat England in the final on August 20.
He was RFEF head at the time but has since resigned, making his first appearance in court on September 15.
Rubiales is also facing coercion charges after Hermoso said she "had suffered constant ongoing pressure by Luis Rubiales and his professional entourage to justify and condone" his actions, court documents show.
Luque and Ribera had initially been summoned as witnesses but the judge has since named them as being under investigation.
- Judge changes tack -
The change came after the judge heard testimony from Hermoso's brother and one of her friends, who confirmed the midfielder's statements that she did not consent to the kiss and had been under pressure to justify Rubiales' actions.
According to Spanish media reports, her brother told the judge she had also been pressured by Vilda, who was sacked on September 6.
Vilda was known for being close to Rubiales.
At his court hearing on September 15, Rubiales once again maintained the kiss was consensual, a judicial source said.
But Hermoso's lawyer Carla Vall said it was clear to everyone that it was not.
"Thanks to this video, everyone can see there was no consent whatsoever and that is what we will demonstrate in court," she told reporters outside the court.
The kiss sparked a global backlash, and a major crisis within Spanish football, with most of the World Cup winners demanding more heads roll at the scandal-hit RFEF.
The judge will on Thursday hear testimony from Patricia Perez, head of public relations for the women's squad, and from Miguel Caba, the recently-sacked head of transparency for the RFEF.
On Monday, two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and two other Spain players, defender Irene Paredes and goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez, will also give testify before the judge.
str-gr/hmw/ds/bsp
AFP
Wed, 27 September 2023
Jorge Vilda (R) is known for being close to Luis Rubiales (L) (Saeed Khan)
Spain's controversial former women's coach Jorge Vilda is being investigated as part of the legal probe into Luis Rubiales over the World Cup kiss scandal, court documents showed Wednesday.
Vilda and two others have been "summoned as suspects" to appear before investigating judge Francisco de Jorge on October 10, said a statement from Spain's Audiencia National court.
It identified the other two as Albert Luque, director of the men's national team, and Ruben Rivera, marketing director for the Spanish football federation (RFEF).
The court did not clarify precisely the nature of the suspicion surrounding Vilda.
Rubiales is facing sexual assault charges after kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain beat England in the final on August 20.
He was RFEF head at the time but has since resigned, making his first appearance in court on September 15.
Rubiales is also facing coercion charges after Hermoso said she "had suffered constant ongoing pressure by Luis Rubiales and his professional entourage to justify and condone" his actions, court documents show.
Luque and Ribera had initially been summoned as witnesses but the judge has since named them as being under investigation.
- Judge changes tack -
The change came after the judge heard testimony from Hermoso's brother and one of her friends, who confirmed the midfielder's statements that she did not consent to the kiss and had been under pressure to justify Rubiales' actions.
According to Spanish media reports, her brother told the judge she had also been pressured by Vilda, who was sacked on September 6.
Vilda was known for being close to Rubiales.
At his court hearing on September 15, Rubiales once again maintained the kiss was consensual, a judicial source said.
But Hermoso's lawyer Carla Vall said it was clear to everyone that it was not.
"Thanks to this video, everyone can see there was no consent whatsoever and that is what we will demonstrate in court," she told reporters outside the court.
The kiss sparked a global backlash, and a major crisis within Spanish football, with most of the World Cup winners demanding more heads roll at the scandal-hit RFEF.
The judge will on Thursday hear testimony from Patricia Perez, head of public relations for the women's squad, and from Miguel Caba, the recently-sacked head of transparency for the RFEF.
On Monday, two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and two other Spain players, defender Irene Paredes and goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez, will also give testify before the judge.
str-gr/hmw/ds/bsp
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