FIFA World Cup-winning Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso was on Wednesday summoned by the judge who is investigating the ousted Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales' case. The former federation chief had kissed Hermoso at the trophy ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final. (Football News)
Eventually, Rubiales resigned over the issue, but continued to insist that the kiss after Spain won the trophy in Australia in August was consensual. Hermoso, 33, had reported the incident to the courts in early September, and Rubiales is being investigated for alleged sexual assault and coercion.
Judge Francisco de Jorge, who is leading the investigation against Rubiales, summoned Hermoso on Wednesday "in person", the National Court said in a brief statement. Currently he is banned from being within 200 metres of Hermoso.
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Also under investigation for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to drop the case are former women's national team coach Jorge Vilda, the director of the men's national team Albert Luque, and the Royal Spanish Football Federation's marketing director .
A number of witnesses haven given evidence in court, including two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, among other teammates of Hermoso. Rubiales' conduct, caught on camera, provoked a wave of international outrage and led to his suspension by world football governing body FIFA.
Rubiales had ultimately resigned on September 10 after initially refusing to.
After being left out of Spain coach Montse Tome's first squad list, Hermoso later returned for the Nations League matches in October and has been called up for further games in December.
