3 Spanish players to testify in Rubiales Women’s World Cup kiss case

Madrid, Sep 22 (EFE).- A judge investigating the Women’s World Cup kiss scandal involving former Spanish football federation head Luis Rubiales has summoned three footballers to testify at Spain’s National Court next week.

The judge has scheduled testimonies for Sep. 25 and 28, as well as Oct. 2, which will include three teammates of forward Jenni Hermoso.

Hermoso has alleged that Rubiales kissed her on the lips without her consent following last month’s Women’s World Cup final.

The judge has also called two defense experts to provide testimony.

Prosecutors initiated legal proceedings of sexual assault charges against the former federation president after Hermoso, 33, lodged a complaint with the national court earlier this month.

Rubiales, aged 46, maintains that the kiss he shared with Hermoso after the team’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney in August was consensual.

Australian authorities have offered their assistance to Spanish investigators in their inquiry into the allegations against Rubiales.

Rubiales is also facing coercion charges for purportedly pressuring Hermoso and her associates to claim that the kiss was consensual.

However, the former head of Spanish soccer has denied that Hermoso was coerced into publicly justifying the kiss. EFE

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