In the “kiss scandal”, the Spanish football association RFEF has accused world champion Jennifer Hermoso of lying and threatened her with legal action. In a statement, the association called Hermoso’s claim that the kiss on her mouth by controversial President Luis Rubiales at the awards ceremony in Sydney not by mutual consent was a lie.
To substantiate this, the federation released four photos showing that Hermoso, in the exuberance of celebration, lifted Rubiales, hugged him and agreed to the kiss. Rubiales himself also presented himself as a victim in a speech to the association’s extraordinary general assembly on Friday in Madrid and refused to resign as many had demanded.
The RFEF responded with the late-night statement to Hermoso, who reiterated in a statement from the players’ union FutPro on Friday night that she had not consented to the kiss under any circumstances. “I felt vulnerable and a victim of aggression, impulsive behavior, macho, out of place and without my consent,” the statement said.
“As far as it depends on us, it’s the last hours of Rubiales,” says the sports minister
The association stressed that the published photos would expose these “lies”, which were spread “either in the name of or by the player herself”. The association and Rubiales would take legal action against this.
Sport Minister Miquel Iceta said the government would seek a swift removal of Rubiales from office. “As far as it depends on us, it’s the last hours of Rubiales,” he told the newspaper El País. The highest Spanish sports authority CSD applied to the national sports court Tad for the suspension of Rubiales. “Mr Rubiales was disappointed in his reaction, he didn’t do what he should have done,” said CSD boss Víctor Francos, referring to the speech by Spanish football’s top official.
On Friday evening, numerous teammates also showed solidarity with Hermoso. Around 80 Spanish women footballers declaredof no longer wanting to be available to the national team if Rubiales stays. World champions Spain are effectively without a national team.