Spain's Hermoso files criminal case against Rubiales over kiss

Spain international forward Jenni Hermoso has filed a formal criminal complaint against suspended Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales for kissing her on the lips without her consent in the celebrations following Spain's 1-0 win over England in the FIFA Women's World Cup final, reported Xinhua.

The Spanish prosecutor's office on Wednesday confirmed that the complaint was filed by Hermoso a day earlier, opening the door for Rubiales to face a criminal investigation for "sexual assault."

Rubiales, who was suspended by FIFA on August 26, has refused to resign from his post, insisting that the kiss was consented with Hermoso - something the player denies, while adding that she and her family had been pressured by Rubiales to make a public display of support.

The news comes a day after the RFEF released a statement offering its "most sincere apologies to the whole of football world, to the football institutions, the footballers, especially the players of the Spanish Football Team and the English Football Team, other agents involved in football and fans around the world, for the totally unacceptable behavior of its highest institutional representative (Rubiales) during the final and in the subsequent moments."

Tuesday also saw the RFEF sack Jorge Vilda as the coach of the women's football team, replacing him with his former assistant Montse Tome.

The Spanish government, players' unions and actors from many sectors of society have supported Hermoso, with the members of the men's national team also issuing a statement of support on Monday.