Spain men’s coach Luis de la Fuente has been summoned as a witness by the judge investigating the former president of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, for alleged sexual assault and coercion involving women’s international player Jenni Hermoso.
Judge Francisco de Jorge has requested De la Fuente to appear, along with Pablo Garcia Cuervo, the federation’s director of communication, and several other staff members, according to judicial sources.
De la Fuente and Garcia are scheduled to appear in court on October 20, while others, including the women’s team’s psychologist, have been summoned for October 27.
The investigation revolves around Rubiales allegedly forcibly kissing Hermoso on the lips during the medal ceremony in Sydney on August 20, following La Roja’s tournament victory.
Earlier this week, the judge expanded the investigation to include Spain’s former women’s coach Jorge Vilda, along with Albert Luque, director of the men’s national team, and Ruben Rivera, the marketing director for the federation.
The specific details of Vilda’s involvement in the case were not disclosed.
Three players from the women’s team, including two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, are scheduled to testify on October 2.
Rubiales resigned from his position amid global outrage over his actions and appeared in court on September 15.
The judge issued a restraining order preventing him from being within 200 metres of Hermoso.
During Monday’s proceedings, Hermoso’s brother and one of her friends corroborated her account that she did not consent to the kiss and had been pressured to justify Rubiales’ actions.