Kissing scandal moves to court and church, Spanish teams may be kicked out of Europe

Prosecutors have opened a preliminary sex abuse investigation into Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales after he kissed Spain player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips without consent.

Spain's top criminal court is probing whether Rubiales' actions during the World Cup 'kiss-gate' scandal constitute sexual assault. He also grabbed his crotch in the royal box alongside Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter Infanta Sofia.

Rubiales was suspended by world football's governing body FIFA on Saturday, one day after he repeatedly refused to resign and blamed 'false feminists' for the saga in a bizarre speech at an emergency meeting of the Spanish FA (RFEF) on Friday.

AFP quoted the Spanish national court as saying: 'Prosecutors from the national court have opened a preliminary investigation to look into the facts, which could constitute an offence of sexual assault', the statement adding that Hermoso will have the opportunity to submit a lawsuit herself.

Meanwhile, the mother of Rubiales has locked herself inside a church and gone on a hunger strike in support of her son.

 Angeles Bejar demanded an end to the 'inhumane witch-hunt' after he kissed Spain player Jenni Hermoso on the lips following their Women's World Cup triumph.

Bejar, a former hairdresser, has locked herself in the Divina Pastora church in Motril, east of Malaga in southern Spain, and started an 'indefinite, day and night' hunger strike until 'justice is served.'

Bejar demanded that Hermoso 'tell the truth' after the player insisted the kiss wasn't consensual, in contrast to Rubiales' account.

As reported by Marca, she asked 'why are they being so cruel to him' and 'what is behind the story' since 'he is incapable of harming anyone.'

Family members arrived at the church with bottles of water at 2 pm local time, looking to speak with Rubiales' mother.

They had with them a local doctor, who refused to speak to the press in attendance or answer any questions.

They were escorted to the church door by two police, and after several minutes of knocking on the front door were allowed in. A large group of media attempting to follow the family and the doctor were blocked from doing so by police.

 Luis Rubiales' cousin Vanesa Ruiz Bejar, speaking on behalf of her family, said outside the church: 'The statement I'm about to make is extremely difficult.

'My name is Vanesa Ruiz Bejar and I'm Luis Rubiales' cousin.

'There's a campaign of harassment occurring that is very unfair.

'Luis' mum who is a very religious person has sought refuge in God and started a hunger strike.

'She doesn't want to come out of the church. We are all suffering a lot because of what's happened to Luis which doesn't seem at all fair to us.

'He's been condemned already without being tried. It's not normal. We won't to be left alone. The facts speak for them, there are videos, there are audio recordings.'

In a direct message to Hermoso, she added: 'Jenni, say the truth.'

'Why has she changed her version three times? We have suffered a lot, we have had to leave our homes because of the harassment we're suffering.

'We won't be left alone and see justice done and we want this woman to tell the truth. Jenni, 'tell the truth!'

 Also, Real Madrid and Barcelona's Champions League spots are now at risk over the Luis Rubiales scandal, according to reports in Spain.

In a shocking development on Monday, the Spanish FA have urged European governing body UEFA to consider expelling them due to the Spanish government's intervention over the ongoing World Cup 'kiss-gate' saga which saw £214,000-a-year official Rubiales kiss Spain star Jennifer Hermoso on the lips without her consent.

If this request is granted, it would mean all Spanish clubs - including global giants Real and Barcelona - would be excluded from UEFA competitions like the Champions League (also affecting Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad), Europa League (Villarreal and Real Betis), and the Europa Conference League (Osasuna).