Luis Rubiales: Former Spanish FA president banned from coming within 200 meters to Jenni Hermoso

Luis Rubiales: Former Spanish FA president banned from coming within 200 meters to Jenni Hermoso

Luis Rubiales resigned as Spanish FA president last week following criticism of him kissing Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup final; prosecutors were granted a restraining order against Rubiales contacting Hermoso; Rubiales denied any wrongdoing in court on Friday

Former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has been barred from approaching Jenni Hermoso after her World Cup teammates stated that they did not feel comfortable playing for the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, thirty-nine Spanish female soccer players, including all but two of the World Cup squad, expressed safety concerns in the aftermath of Rubiales’ allegedly non-consensual kiss on Hermoso.

The players wanted more changes from the federation but did not say if they would continue to boycott playing for the national squad.

The statement, signed by Hermoso, Alexia Putellas, Olga Carmona, and former Manchester United player Ona Batlle, said: “We have transmitted to the (FA), the changes that have occurred are not enough for the players to feel safe, where women are respected, there is a commitment to women’s football, and where we can give our maximum performance.”

“The Spanish team’s players are professional players, and what gives us the most pride is wearing our team’s jersey and always leading our country to the highest positions.”

“As a result, we believe it is time to fight to demonstrate that these situations and practices have no place in our football or in our society, and that the current structure requires modification.” We do it so that future generations can enjoy the more level playing field that we all deserve.”

Luis Rubiales: Former Spanish FA president banned from coming within 200 meters to Jenni Hermoso

The declaration is also signed by a number of players who left the Spain squad last year due to poor working circumstances, including Mapi Leon and Patricia Guijarro.

The new coach of Spain’s women’s team Montse Tom had to delay the announcement of her first squad after the announcement from the players. The federation said the players had rejected their attempts to convince them to return to the team early on Friday.

Tom will have to decide whether to still call up the revolting players or select a completely different team for upcoming Nations League games against Sweden and Switzerland on September 22 and 26.

Judge bans Rubiales from within 200m of Hermoso

Earlier that day, an investigating judge at Spain’s High Court put a restraining order on Rubiales after he appeared in court to face sexual assault charges for kissing Hermoso on the lips.

Rubiales is not allowed to come within 200 meters of Hermoso, according to the restraining order granted by Judge Francisco de Jorge. The state prosecutors had requested that the prohibition be extended to 500 meters.

When questioned about kissing Hermoso, Rubiales denied any misconduct.

The judge denied the prosecutors’ plea to compel Rubiales to appear in court every 15 days, as well as Hermoso’s lawyer’s attempt to seize Rubiales’ assets.

Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips after Spain defeated England to win the Women’s World Cup last month in Australia. He claimed she agreed to the kiss, although Hermoso has repeatedly denied this.

Last Thursday, Spanish state prosecutors charged Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion. Rubiales, according to Hermoso, pressed her to speak out in his defence shortly after the issue broke.

According to the state prosecutors’ office, Rubiales rejected both claims when addressing questions from the judge during an hour-long closed-door hearing.

Rubiales and his defence counsel, Olga Tubau, did not speak to the media outside the National Court.

Carla Vall i Duran, Hermoso’s lawyer, stated that they were pleased with the outcome of the court. “We can continue to affirm that the kiss was not consented to, as we have stated from the start,” Vall i Duran added.

“As a result of the (images of the kiss), the entire world, the entire country, has been able to see that there was no type of consent.” And we want to demonstrate that in court.”

Under intense pressure from government and soccer officials, the 46-year-old Rubiales eventually caved on Sunday and announced his resignation as Spanish president. FIFA has already suspended him indefinitely.

De Jorge is conducting the preliminary inquiry into the allegations against Rubiales, after which he will decide whether the matter should proceed to trial.

According to a sexual consent law passed in Spain last year, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty of sexual assault. The new law eliminated the distinction between “sexual harassment” and “sexual assault,” sanctioning any non-consensual sexual act. Hermoso had already given testimony to state prosecutors when she accused Rubiales of sexual assault last week, before she left Spain to join her Mexican club, Pachuca.

In the days following the World Cup final, Rubiales said that the kiss was “mutual” and like one “I could give one of my daughters.”

Hermoso responded by saying that was a lie. “I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part,” Hermoso said in a statement posted on social media. “Simply put, I was not respected.”