The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has called “lies” the accusations against its president, Luis Rubiales, for his surprise imposed kiss on player Jennifer Hermoso after the World Cup final.
“The RFEF and the president [Rubiales] will prove every lie published by anyone on behalf of the player, or, if so, by the player herself,” the body said in a statement. released overnight from Friday to Saturday, as Jennifer Hermoso said she was “victim of an assault” in a statement.
“At no time did I consent to this kiss [that Luis Rubiales] gave me and in no way did I seek to approach the president. I do not tolerate anyone questioning my word and even less inventing words that I did not say, ”assured Ms. Hermoso in a press release published on her social networks, thus contradicting the defense of Ms. Rubiales. “I felt vulnerable and victim of an assault, an impulsive and sexist act, out of place and without any consent on my part,” insisted the Spanish international.
Her teammates announced that they would refuse to play again for the selection under the current management of the federation. “After everything that happened during the Women’s Worlds medal presentation, all players signing this text will not honor a future call if the current leaders are maintained,” wrote the twenty-three world champions in a press release issued by the Futpro union.
“Rubiales cannot stay in his post”
In Spain, kissing someone without their consent is considered an offense under sexual assault law, so the case could go to court: Victor Francos, the president of the Superior Sports Council (CSD), a body government, promised that it would take action if the RFEF did not.
He assured that he would take the case to the Administrative Court for Sport, a Spanish court. The initiative was welcomed by Irene Montero, Minister for Equality, who wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Faced [with Mr. Rubiales’ impunity], the prosecution and the CSD are acting to protect the player, to say no to machismo and to guarantee the right to sexual freedom. »
In addition, the Spanish public prosecutor’s office reported to Agence France-Presse that it had received four complaints against Mr. Rubiales, but as these were not filed by the victims themselves, there is a doubt concerning their admissibility.
FIFA disciplinary procedure
On August 21, Mr. Rubiales brushed aside the controversy, calling those who criticized him “idiot”. A few hours later he issued an apology, explaining that it was a gesture “without any bad intention”, adding: “If people were hurt, I must apologize, there is no Nothing else to do. »
The case escalated to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), which eventually launched disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Rubiales. Meanwhile, other images have come to aggravate the case of the president of the RFEF, in particular those where we see him, again on Sunday, on the balcony of honor of the stadium, grabbing his genitals to celebrate the team’s victory, a gesture for which he asked forgiveness.
The forced kiss of the president of the Federation is part of a heavy context within the Spanish selection. Players have been denouncing for months the methods deemed “dictatorial” by coach Jorge Vilda, who enjoyed the unwavering support of Mr. Rubiales. The president of the federation was also accused of having organized orgies with the money of the RFEF last September.
