Jenni Hermoso sued the president of the Spanish Football Federation
On September 6, Hermoso personally filed a sexual assault lawsuit at the Attorney General's Office.
A judge at Spain's Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid will be tasked with investigating and deciding whether Rubiales faces charges, before inviting prosecutors to prosecute the RFEF chief.
With Hermoso's lawsuit, Rubiales could face criminal charges, in addition to an ongoing Spanish Court of Sport investigation into "serious misconduct" and a FIFA investigation.
Immediately after hearing the news that the 33-year-old attacking midfielder filed a lawsuit against Rubiales, Spain's Minister of Equality, Irene Montero wrote on X - the social network formerly known as Twitter: "Hermoso, you are not alone. Millions who is with you".
The scandal stemmed from Rubiales kissing Hermoso on the lips during the Women's World Cup championship award ceremony in Sydney on August 20. On the podium, after presenting the medal, Rubiales hugged, placed both hands on her head, kissed Hermoso on the lips, and patted her back as the number 11 player left.
Later, the Spain international said she did not want to be kissed and felt "vulnerable and the victim of an act of aggression". Hermoso also accused the RFEF of pressuring her and her family to issue a message of support for Rubiales immediately after the incident.
Rubiales asserted that kissing Hermoso was "spontaneous in arousal and consensual". During an extraordinary press conference at RFEF headquarters on August 25, he even said "will not resign" five times and claimed that he was the victim of a "witch hunt by fake feminists". .
One day after this defiant speech, FIFA suspended all football-related activities at the national and international level for Rubiales. The decision is valid for 90 days, pending the results of the investigation.
Afterwards, Pedro Rocha was appointed interim president of RFEF. Earlier this week, he apologized for the "enormous damage" caused by his predecessor's actions and promised to restructure the organization. The restructuring process has begun with the dismissal of coach Jorge Vilda, who is said to have applauded Rubiales' non-resignation speech, and the appointment of former female national team player Montse Tome instead.
