As 81 players confirm they won’t play for Spain’s women’s team unless he is removed from his position, Jenni Hermoso claims she didn’t consent to being kissed by Spanish football federation head Luis Rubiales.
After Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory against England in Sydney, Rubiales kissed forward Hermoso on the lips, but has refused to step down.
While Fifa has also commenced disciplinary proceedings, the Spanish government has begun legal proceedings to suspend the 46-year-old.
During the Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) extraordinary general assembly, Rubiales was generally expected to quit, but instead he remarked, “I don’t deserve this manhunt.”
The person who helped me get up was Jenni, he continued. She agreed when I encouraged her to “forget about the penalty [that Mary Earps avoided]” and when I asked whether she would mind getting a small peck.
“The kiss just happened. joyful, consensual, and shared. The key is that. I can leave this place with a mutual “peck” is that enough?
The Pachuca player Hermoso issued a lengthy statement on social media, stating: “I want to make clear that at no time did the conversation to which Mr. Luis Rubiales refers in his address take place and, above all, was his kiss ever consensual.”
He was “completely false” and “part of the manipulative culture he has generated,” she continued.
“I feel compelled to report this occurrence because I firmly think that no one should be the victim of these kinds of non-consensual acts in any setting—whether it at work, during sports, or in public. Without my agreement, the conduct was impulsive, sexist, and made me feel vulnerable, she added.
I simply wasn’t respected, to put it simply.
She continued by claiming that not only was she, but also her family, friends, and team members, were put “under continuous pressure” to assist with a “statement that could justify” Rubiales’ actions.
“These types of actions are only the latest in a long line of instances that the players have been criticising. This incident is the tipping point, and what everyone has seen on live television also comes with attitudes like the ones we witnessed this morning [Friday] and have been a regular part of our team’s everyday lives for years,” she continued.
The conduct was called “unacceptable” in a statement by the England Lionesses, who lost to Spain in the championship game.
It said, “The actions of those who believe they are untouchable must not be accepted, and people should not need persuasion to take action against any sort of harassment.
Jenni Hermoso, we are on your side.
The players’ union issued a statement. A large number of athletes, including all 23 members of the Spain team that just won the World Cup, registered with Futpro.
After everything that occurred during the Women’s World Cup medal presentation, it stated: “All players who sign this letter will not return to a call for the national team if the current leaders continue.”
On September 22 in the Nations League, Spain will play its following match against Sweden.
Real Betis player Borja Iglesias earlier on Friday declared he will no longer represent Spain’s men’s national team while Rubiales is the coach.
BBC
