Former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has reiterated that he cannot comprehend why anyone would interpret his kiss on Jenni Hermoso as sexual assault.
Rubiales, 46, was arrested on Wednesday morning in connection with a corruption investigation unrelated to the incident involving Jenni Hermoso. The arrest pertains to alleged financial irregularities during his tenure as head of the Spanish FA, including deals related to holding the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the arrest, Rubiales still faces potential repercussions for the kiss incident last August. Spanish prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for him.
In an interview with Spanish broadcaster La Sexta, Rubiales criticized the judge who charged him with coercion and sexual assault, describing the judge’s characterization of his words as manipulative. Rubiales emphasized that he cannot fathom how his actions could be construed as sexual assault, stating that he only spoke with Miss Hermoso for a brief period.
Although the full interview is scheduled to air later, an excerpt has already been released, showcasing Rubiales’ perspective.
Last month, public prosecutors involved in the case proposed a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales. They indicated that if found guilty, he could face one year for sexual assault and another 18 months for coercion related to his alleged efforts to persuade the footballer to defend him after the World Cup kiss incident.
