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<\/p>\nLuis Rubiales has been accused of sexual assault and coercion by Spanish state prosecutors <\/p>\n
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Spanish state prosecutors have accused Luis Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for kissing a player on the lips without her consent after the Women\u2019s World Cup final, the country\u2019s prosecutors\u2019 office said Friday. Rubiales, the now-suspended president of the Spanish soccer federation, kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony after Spain beat England to win the title on Aug. 20 in Sydney, Australia. Prosecutors presented a case against Rubiales to Spain\u2019s National Court in Madrid two days after Hermoso formally accused him of sexual assault. According to a sexual consent law passed 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 difference between \u201csexual harassment\u201d and \u201csexual assault,\u201d sanctioning any unconsented sexual act. Prosecutors added Friday that Rubiales could have committed an act of coercion when, according to Hermoso, he pressured her to speak out in his defense immediately after the scandal erupted regarding his behavior.<\/p>\n
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Rubiales has insisted the kiss was consensual. Hermoso has denied that in statements issued by her and her players\u2019 union. Prosecutors have asked the judge that Rubiales appear before a court to give preliminary testimony. If the National Court judge agrees the hear the case, it would lead to a formal court investigation that will end with a recommendation for the case to either be dismissed or go to trial. Hermoso, a 33-year-old forward, now plays for Mexican club Pachuca after a long career with top Spanish and European clubs, including Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid. She returned to her Mexican club on Thursday. The 46-year-old Rubiales faces threats other than a possible criminal trial.<\/p>\n
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Luis Rubiales was suspended from his role as Spanish FA President by Fifa <\/p>\n
He was suspended from his post by Fifa on Aug. 27, a day after he refused to step down when he delivered a defiant speech to the general assembly of his federation in which he said he was victim of a \u201cwitch hunt\u201d by \u201cfalse feminists.\u201d Rubiales was banned from his post for 90 days while Fifa disciplinary judges consider his case. Soccer\u2019s governing body can impose sanctions on individuals ranging from warnings and fines to suspensions from the sport. Rubiales also faces action from the Spanish government. A government legal panel overseeing sports has opened a probe to determine if he abused his authority by kissing Hermoso or tainted the image of Spain with his conduct. He faces being deemed unfit to hold his post for up to two years. Rubiales\u2019 behavior at the final, which included a lewd crotch grab while next to dignitaries including Spain\u2019s queen and teenage princess, combined with his controversial speech have tarnished the Women\u2019s World Cup title and damaged his own federation. Spain\u2019s women\u2019s players have said they won\u2019t play again for their nation until big changes are made in the federation. The federation fired coach Jorge Vilda, but the players have yet to say if they consider that sufficient.<\/p>\n