MOSCOW, September 15 – The former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, has denied allegations of sexual harassment in court, Marca reports.

On Friday, the former head of the organization arrived at the National Court of Madrid to testify in the case of kissing national team player Jennifer Hermoso. The prosecutor’s office requested, as a preventive measure, to oblige Rubiales to appear in court once every two weeks, and also to prohibit him from approaching the athlete at a distance closer than 500 meters.

During the awards ceremony for the winners of the Women’s World Cup, which took place in Australia and New Zealand, Rubiales hugged and kissed Hermoso on the lips. Many journalists and fans called his actions excessive. The head of the RFEF apologized for his behavior, but the federation convened an extraordinary assembly, during which Rubiales said that he would not resign and was ready to defend himself in court. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has temporarily suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities. On Sunday it became known that the Spaniard left the post of president of the organization. The RFEF confirmed his resignation. On Monday, Spain’s National Court opened criminal proceedings against Rubiales.