Madrid’s public prosecutor is examining whether a sexual assault occurred in connection with the kiss reportedly shared by Luis Rubiales, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, with player Jennifer Hermoso after Spain’s women’s World Cup win. The complaint, filed recently by Miguel Ángel Galán, who runs the Coaches Training Center, was forwarded to the National Court prosecutor’s office to determine if a formal investigation should proceed. This step is procedural and not a formal accusation, and no case has yet been opened in any court against Rubiales.
The allegation points to a potential semi-public offense, with the complaint noting the possible crime against Hermoso, a claim reported by the Madrid provincial prosecutor’s office and cited by sources consulted by El Periódico de España. Prosecutors can act on their own in certain situations, but they typically intervene ex officio when the victim is a minor or a person with a disability. At this stage, it remains unclear what decision the prosecutor will reach in this matter.
Officials stress that there is no case formally filed against Rubiales in Madrid or elsewhere, underscoring that the current action should not be read as an established crime. It is described as a bureaucratic step to inform the complainant that jurisdiction lies with the National Court prosecutor. The Ministry of Public Affairs reinforces this point while noting that no formal investigation has begun.
There is a separate statement from Rubiales asserting that he will not resign and framing the situation as a social attack he intends to challenge to the end.
According to the Madrid Provincial Prosecutor’s Office document, dated this Friday and signed by prosecutor Ana María Galdeano acting under the attorney general’s delegation, Galán’s complaint arrived last Wednesday and alleges facts that may constitute the crime of sexual assault where applicable. The note adds that the regional authority responsible for handling the facts is the National Court Prosecutor’s Office and that the case file has been forwarded to that body for appropriate action.
There are already four complaints
The complaint from Galán joins three other accusations received by both the Madrid Prosecutor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office in recent days, all of which will land on the desk of National Court prosecutors. An official briefing from El Periódico de España explains that the offices will review all filings submitted through citizens’ services, with the final decision resting with the National Court. The condition that the victim, the woman who received the kiss, has already filed a complaint is noted as a guiding factor in these cases.
Authorities indicate that investigations will be pursued according to the process used by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, and that the typical expectation remains that the victim’s own filing can significantly influence whether a formal process begins. Yet, the current stance is that the action is informational and procedural rather than a definitive accusation.
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In parallel, calls have been made for the federation to face consequences. The request to initiate measures through the Tactical Administrative Board or other bodies has not yet translated into concrete sanctions, even as football associations and whistleblowers urge clear and decisive steps against Rubiales. A leadership office dispute remains unresolved as authorities assess the appropriate path forward.
Up to four years in prison
Should the acts be classified under Article 178 of the Penal Code, a person found guilty of sexual assault could face one to four years in prison, with the statute of limitations generally five years. This framework covers acts that infringe another person’s sexual freedom without consent, depending on the circumstances and the precise legal interpretation of the event.
The pearls of Rubiales at the extraordinary meeting of the Spanish Federation
Experts highlight that proving lack of consent is central to this kind of case. Without a formal complaint by the harmed party, the likelihood of a judicial proceeding is notably diminished. Additionally, the prosecution’s reliance on its own actions means the victim may need to formally participate in the process if steps toward a trial are pursued, even if she had not previously signaled an intent to proceed.
As the story unfolds, observers note the balance between legal procedures and the public expectations surrounding accountability in high-profile sports governance. The outcome will depend on procedural choices, the weight of the available testimony, and the determination of the courts to address allegations of sexual misconduct within the federation’s leadership. [Source: Madrid Provincial Prosecutor’s Office]