The Australian authorities were willing to collaborate on Monday in the investigation in Spain into the kiss on the mouth that Luis Rubiales gave to Jenni Hermoso after the final of the Women's Soccer World Cup in Australia, which could be classified as a sexual offense in the country. oceanic.
The New South Wales State Police reported that so far they have not been asked to investigate this incident that took place on August 20 in the Australian city of Sydney by the then president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales, according to a statement sent today to EFE.
However, "if" this request to collaborate in the investigations is received, its agents "will contact international authorities and provide assistance when necessary," said the New South Wales Police, whose capital is Sydney.
Rubiales, who resigned from his position on Sunday, was sued last 8 by the Spanish Prosecutor's Office before the National Court for the alleged non-consensual kiss on the mouth, which may constitute a crime of sexual assault, as well as for coercion by the pressure that the soccer player suffered to justify the episode.
Hermoso formally declared last week that the kiss was not consensual and in addition, both she and her closest circle suffered pressure from Rubiales and her professional environment to publicly approve her superior's gesture, while she grabbed him with both hands. the head, during the World Cup trophy ceremony.
Within the framework of this process, the Prosecutor's Office plans to request the National Court to consult the Australian authorities if that kiss is a crime in the oceanic country, in compliance with a series of legal requirements for the Spanish jurisdiction to investigate crimes allegedly committed in abroad if its alleged authors are Spanish.
New South Wales legislation - which embraces the concept of affirmative consent (the clear consent of both parties to any type of sexual relationship) - considers a kiss without consent an "indecent assault", an offense punishable by a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Although anyone can report a possible crime to the New South Wales authorities, the alleged victim -in this case Hermoso- must give their formal testimony if an investigation into the case is opened in this Australian jurisdiction.
Rubiales resigned from his position as president of the RFEF on Sunday after admitting that "it is evident" that he will not be able to hold on to his managerial chair and that his permanence will affect "Spanish football".
Rubiales was disqualified by FIFA for 90 days as president of the RFEF and faces an investigation by this body for his behavior during the World Cup final, in which he also grabbed his genitals in the box while celebrating the team's victory. Spanish.
