Luis Rubiales has entered a Madrid court to answer a criminal complaint over kissing Spanish player Jenni Hermoso, days after resigning as head of Spain's football federation.
He said nothing as he walked into the national court to face accusations of sexual assault and coercion. Mr Rubiales, 46, insists he had the footballer's consent as she celebrated Spain winning the Women's World Cup.
The court will decide whether the case goes to trial. Spanish state prosecutors have formally lodged a criminal complaint against the former president of the football federation (RFEF), which will be heard by Judge Francisco de Jorge.
Spain won the Women's World Cup in Australia on 20 August, but the team's victory has been overshadowed ever since by Mr Rubiales's actions during the celebrations after the final whistle. He has maintained that when he held her head in his hands and kissed her on the lips it was mutual and consensual.
Hermoso, 33, says that the kiss was not consensual. Prosecutors submitted her initial complaint of sexual assault and added one of coercion, arguing that he had put pressure on the Spain forward to come to his defence amid uproar in the days after the kiss.
Spain's left-wing government reformed laws on consent in the past two years after a notorious gang-rape case in 2016 that led to five men being cleared of rape.
Under the so-called “Only Yes is Yes” law, Mr Rubiales could face a fine or even a jail sentence if the case goes to trial and he is found guilty of sexual assault.
— CutC by bbc.com
