Spanish federal prosecutors announced Monday they have opened a pre-procedural investigation into Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales, whose unwanted kiss of Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the country’s World Cup celebration on Aug. 20 has sent Spain’s soccer program into a tailspin.
Prosecutors are investigating the kiss for “facts that could constitute a crime of sexual assault, provided for and punishable under [article] 178 Penal Code.” Because Hermoso has not reported it herself but has publicly expressed that it was not consensual, the prosecutor will contact her and offer her the possibility of formalizing the complaint.
FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, provisionally suspended Rubiales for 90 days on Saturday.