(Madrid) Spanish international Jenni Hermoso said on Friday evening that she felt “vulnerable and victim of aggression” when she was kissed by the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, on Sunday during of the Worlds final, after claiming that the kiss “wasn’t consensual”.
“I felt vulnerable and victim of an aggression, an impulsive and sexist act, out of place and without any consent on my part,” the Spanish N.10 said in a statement posted on her social media about the kiss imposed by its president on Sunday evening during the presentation of the medals of world champions in Sydney.
A few hours earlier, Hermoso had assured, in a first press release from her union Futpro, that she had “at no time consented to this kiss”, dismantling the defense of Luis Rubiales.
Against all odds and despite pressure, the boss of Spanish football had refused to resign from his post on Friday before the extraordinary general meeting of his Federation gathered near Madrid.
In office since 2018, the former defender launched a counterattack, claiming the kiss was “reciprocal” and “consensual” and that he had obtained permission to do so, while castigating “false feminism “.
And Friday night, what is already dubbed the “
The 23 players of the team crowned world champion on Sunday in Australia have indeed announced that they refuse to play again with La Roja “if the current leaders [were] maintained”. The text, already signed by 81 players, remains open to other signatures, according to the Futpro union.
Before this announcement, the day was punctuated by numerous reactions indignant at the lack of questioning by Luis Rubiales, who denounced “an attempted social assassination” against him.
“What we saw today at the Federation Assembly is unacceptable […]. It is the end of impunity for macho acts. Rubiales cannot remain in his post,” reacted the Minister of Labor and number three in the government, Yolanda Díaz, demanding “urgent measures” from the government.
Many players from the national team, like FC Barcelona footballer Alexia Putellas, double Ballon d’Or, came out of silence in the afternoon to show their support for their teammate and denounce the behavior ” intolerable” of their president. ” This is unacceptable. Let’s get it over with. I’m with you dear Jenni Hermoso,” she said on X.
The hashtag «
“Out of respect for football. That’s enough ! It’s time for that to change for good,” X Women’s Professional Soccer League wrote.
For his part, former Real Madrid and ‘Roja’ goalkeeper Iker Casillas spoke of ‘total shame’ about Rubiales while Betis striker Borja Iglesias announced he would no longer wear the jersey. the national team until the situation changed.
Even some clubs were publicly outraged, such as Espanyol Barcelona, who said they were waiting for “measures” from the federation, or Sevilla FC, who felt they “did not feel represented” by the Spanish football boss and asked for his resignation.
Barça, former club of Hermoso, launched a half-hearted condemnation, deploring “regrettable” and “unjustifiable facts”. The Catalan club notes, however, that “Mr. Rubiales himself acknowledged an error and apologized for it”.
The affair splashes the image of Spanish sport, while the country is a candidate for the organization of the Men’s World Cup in 2030 with Portugal and Morocco, the award of which is scheduled for the end of next year.
Mr. Rubiales had been filmed during the celebration of the victory of the female “Roja” over England in the final of the World Cup, kissing Jenni Hermoso on the mouth in surprise.
He issued an apology on Monday, saying it was a gesture “without any bad intentions”.
But the condemnations of the Spanish political class, including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and football circles, including the famous American player Megan Rapinoe, have only amplified.
The case eventually escalated to FIFA, which launched disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Rubiales on Thursday.
In a shower of criticism, LaLiga president Javier Tebas harshly attacked his counterpart: “The list of women and men offended by Luis Rubiales in recent years is too long, it must stop”.
The High Council for Sports, a government body, has announced that it will take the case to the Administrative Court for Sports in the coming days.
If the court finds the kiss to be a fault under the professional sports code, the Higher Sports Council, a state body, could then suspend Mr. Rubiales from his duties.
