The Spanish football association RFEF has sharpened the tone in the debate about its heavily criticized President Luis Rubiales and threatened lawsuits. The RFEF was reacting on Friday evening to the statement made by the players’ union Futpro that world champion Jennifer Hermoso did not agree to Rubiales’ kiss at the award ceremony after the World Cup final and did not lift him up either.
The kiss debate after Spain’s World Cup victory continues to escalate. Hermoso responded to Rubiales’ refusal to resign on Friday with a detailed statement that could not have been clearer: “I felt vulnerable and the victim of an impulsive, sexist and inappropriate act that I did not consent to. Simply put, I wasn’t respected,” the 33-year-old wrote in a statement shared on the social networks Instagram and X, formerly Twitter.
Shortly before, all the players in the Spanish team had announced that they would not play again as long as Rubiales was still in office. “It makes us very sad that such unacceptable behavior overshadows the greatest sporting success of Spanish women’s football,” said the statement published on X by the players’ union Futpro, signed by 81 footballers.
“After everything that happened at the Women’s World Cup, we want to make it clear that all signing players will not play for the national team if the current leadership team remains in place.”
Englishwomen also showed solidarity with Hermoso
After the 1-0 victory in the World Cup final against England last Sunday in Sydney, Rubiales held Hermoso’s head with both hands and kissed him on the mouth. A little later, Hermoso said in a video that she didn’t think it was great. As a result, a large number of politicians, other football officials and players massively criticized Rubiales and called for his resignation.
US star Alex Morgan wrote that she was disgusted. The English women, who lost in the final, also showed their solidarity with Hermoso. “Abuse is abuse and we’ve all seen the truth,” they wrote. “The behavior of those who believe they are invincible should not be tolerated and people should not need to be persuaded to take action against any form of harassment.”
The Spanish government also opposed the 46-year-old Rubiales. Spain’s acting Deputy Prime Minister Teresa Ribera told the Europa Press news agency that she would do everything “in her power” to ensure that Rubiales lost his post.
The federation, on the other hand, published a statement on its website late on Friday evening defending Rubiales and threatening lawsuits against Hermoso and Futpro. The key point is Hermoso’s statement that she did not agree to the kiss and did not lift Rubiales, as claimed by him.
The RFEF put four photos online to exonerate the association boss and also described in detail the posture of Rubiales and Hermoso. The pictures are proof that Rubiales did not lie. They show Rubiales being held by Hermoso, two of which have his legs in the air. Whether the striker lifted him up or whether he jumped up of his own accord cannot be proven from the short series of pictures. (dpa)