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Luis Rubiales: Former Spanish football president will appear in court over World Cup kiss

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Luis Rubiales: Spanish federation president kisses Hermoso.Image source, Getty Images

Former Spanish football president, Luis Rubiales will appear in court after he kissed Spain forward Jenni Hermoso at the Women's World Cup final last month.

Rubiales quit his job as president earlier this week, saying he could no longer continue in the job due to the criticism he has faced following the incident.

Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips during the medal ceremony following Spain's Women's World Cup final win over England in Australia in August.

Jenni Hermoso says she did not consent to the kiss, which means she didn't give permission or agree to it happening. Rubiales says he is innocent and that Hermoso agreed to the kiss during the celebrations.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Luis Rubiales (left of the picture) joined in the celebrations after Spain's World Cup win

Weeks of controversy after World Cup win

The controversy over the kiss has overshadowed Spanish women's football team and their greatest ever achievement - winning the World Cup.

Spain's world champions had refused to play while Rubiales was still in his position, their entire coaching staff quit in protest against him and the team's World Cup winning manager was sacked after he initially showed his support for the president.

Rubiales has repeatedly claimed that the kiss with Hermoso was agreed to and "mutual" but Jenni Hermoso said "in no moment" did she agree to it and filed a legal complaint against him.

In a long statement on social media on 25 August Hermoso said: "I feel the need to report this incident because I believe no person, in any work, sports or social setting should be a victim of these types of non-consensual behaviours.

"I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulsive-driven, sexist, out-of-place act, without any consent on my part," she continued.

"Quite simply, I was not respected."

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Luis Rubiales says he is still innocent after resigning

Fifa, which is football's world governing body had also suspended Rubiales from all football related activities for 90 days, following the incident.

"After the quick suspension carried out by Fifa, plus the rest of open proceedings against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position," Rubiales' said in a statement.

"Insisting on waiting and holding on is not going to contribute to anything positive, neither to the federation nor to Spanish football," he said after announcing he would leave his job.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Jenni Hermoso celebrates with the World Cup

But despite announcing his decision to quit, Rubiales still says he is innocent.

"I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power to prevail," he said, adding that his family had "suffered the effects" of the accusations against him.

"Some friends very close to me said to me 'Luis, you need to focus on your dignity and to continue your life because if not, you are going to damage people you love and the sport you love'," said Rubiales.

The former football president says he hopes his departure will boost Spain's joint bid with Morocco and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup.

What will happen now?

Image source, Reuters

Following Jenni Hermoso's legal complaint against Luis Rubiales, the former football president has been summoned to court by a high court judge, where he will be asked to respond to the accusations made against him.

Rubiales will appear in court in the Spanish capital city, Madrid on Friday.