Court gave Hermoso a restraining order against Rubiales
On Friday, Spain’s High Court issued a restraining order barring former football federation director Luis Rubiales from going within 200 meters of forward Jenni Hermoso as he appeared in court to face sexuaI assault charges.
Rubiales denied any misconduct during the hearing, his first since the commencement of the probe into his behavior following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory in Sydney on Aug. 20.
However, Francisco de Jorge denied the prosecution’s plea that Rubiales appear in court every two weeks to guarantee he does not depart the country.
After Hermoso chose to file a formal complaint, prosecutors filed a case against Rubiales, and the claim, alleging sexuaI assault and coercion, was accepted by judge Francisco de Jorge, who called Rubiales for questioning.
Rubiales was taken by his attorney, Olga Tubau, to Spain’s Audiencia Nacional (National Court) at 11.15 a.m. local time.
He made no comments to the journalists gathering outside the courthouse.
Rubiales officially resigned from his job on Sunday, citing FIFA‘s decision to initiate disciplinary proceedings against him and suspend him for 90 days, as well as the potential influence of the fallout on Spain’s quest to host the 2030 men’s World Cup.
He is being charged with sexual assault for the kiss, as well as coercion for allegedly pressuring Hermoso and her family to defend him.
Rubiales stated in a letter announcing his resignation from the RFEF presidency on Sunday that he would fight to prove his innocence.
After Rubiales first refused to retire, the 23 members of Spain’s World Cup-winning women’s squad, along with 58 other players, announced that they would not play for their country under the present federation administration.
Coach Jorge Vilda has also now been fired, and replacement Montse Tomé was supposed to name a squad for Spain’s UEFA Nations League games against Sweden and Switzerland on Friday, but the RFEF said in a statement that the announcement has been postponed.
Despite the resignation of Rubiales and Vilda, Spain’s World Cup-winning footballers announced on Friday that they will continue to boycott the women’s national team.
