New twist in the scandal of the forced kiss of the boss of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, to striker Jenni Hermoso. While Rubiales rejected calls for the resignation, the 23 players of the Spanish national team, crowned world champions on Sunday in Australia, announced Friday August 25 in a statement from the Futpro union that they refused to play again with the Roja “if the current leaders [were] maintained”.
The text, already signed by 81 players, remains open to other signatures, the union said. In the same press release, Jenni Hermoso indicated that she had “at no time consented to this kiss”: “I do not tolerate anyone questioning my word, let alone making up comments that I didn’t say”.
Jenni Hermoso also expressed herself through a press release published on her social networks, delivering her version of the facts: “I felt vulnerable and the victim of an assault, an impulsive and sexist act, inappropriate and without any consent from my part,” she wrote.
Enough to completely dismantle the defense of Luis Rubiales, who refused to resign from his post a few hours earlier before the extraordinary general meeting of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) meeting near Madrid. In office since 2018, the former defender launched a counterattack, saying the kiss was, according to him, “reciprocal” and “consensual” and that he had obtained permission to do so, while castigating “false feminism”.
Luis Rubiales, on the other hand, asked “forgiveness to the Queen” Letizia for his gesture on the balcony of the Sydney stadium, when he grabbed her genitals, when he was less than two meters from her.
“What we saw today in the Federation Assembly is unacceptable (…). It is the end of impunity for macho acts. Rubiales cannot stay in his post,” Ms. Díaz reacted immediately on X (ex-Twitter), demanding “urgent action” from the government.
Since this sensational announcement, many voices have been raised to condemn the attitude of Mr. Rubiales, like FC Barcelona footballer Alexia Putellas, double Ballon d’Or. ” This is unacceptable. Let’s get it over with. I’m with you dear Jenni Hermoso,” she said on X.
Other Spanish players came out of the silence, denouncing “intolerable” behavior and supporting Hermoso, while the hashtag “
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.
Even some clubs were outraged, such as Espanyol Barcelona who said they were waiting for “measures” from the federation or even Sevilla FC who felt they “did not feel represented” by the Spanish football boss and demanded his resignation. . Barça, former club of Hermoso, launched a half-hearted condemnation, deploring “regrettable facts” and unjustifiable. The Catalan club note, however, that “Mr. Rubiales himself acknowledged an error and apologized for it”.
The affair broke out when Spain is a candidate, with Portugal and Morocco, for the organization of the Men’s World Cup in 2030, which will be awarded at the end of next year.
Luis Rubiales had been filmed during the celebration of the victory of the women’s “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 finally went up to Fifa, which on Thursday launched disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Rubiales. LaLiga president Javier Tebas harshly attacked his counterpart on Friday: “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 concludes that this kiss is a fault according to the code of professional sport, the Superior Council of Sports, a state body, could then suspend Mr. Rubiales from his duties. Kissing someone without their consent is considered sexual assault in Spain.
