Spanish prosecutors are pushing for a two-and-a-half-year prison term for Luis Rubiales, the ex-president of Spain’s Football Association, for forcefully kissing female footballer Jenni Hermoso.
The prosecution also wants a compensation payment of €100,000 (R2-million) to Hermoso.
The formal request from the prosecutors was detailed in a public document on Wednesday, detailing separate charges of sexual assault and force linked to Rubiales’ efforts to convince Hermoso to defend him publicly.
The incident took place during Spain’s Fifa Women’s World Cup triumph celebrations.
Madrid-based Judge Francisco de Jorge has said there is substantial evidence to bring Rubiales to trial.
According to De Jorge, the investigation showed the kiss, witnessed by millions on live television, was not consensual and initiated suddenly by Rubiales.
Hermoso has described the kiss as non-consensual and called it a degrading act, leading to her legal complaint against Rubiales last September.
Rubiales has consistently claimed the kiss was mutual. He resigned from his position last year but still claims he is innocent.
Rubiales’ mother went on a hunger strike in a bid for Hermoso to “tell the truth” about the incident.
Rubiales is also under investigation related to a deal to move the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
He has been in the Dominican Republic but has revealed plans to return to Spain soon.
Compiled by staff writer
Pictured above: Luis Rubiales hugging Jenni Hermoso.
Image source: File
