Jenny Hermoso said she did not agree to be accepted by the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, as the 81 players confirmed they would not play for Spain’s women’s national team until he was sacked.
Rubiales refused to resign after kissing striker Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory over England in Sydney.
The Spanish government initiated legal proceedings It seeks to ban the 46-year-old, while FIFA has also launched disciplinary action.
It was widely expected that Rubiales would resign during the Extraordinary General Assembly called by the Spanish Football Federation, but he said instead, “I do not deserve this chase.”
He added, “Jenny was the one who lifted me up. I told her to forget the penalty (which Mary Erbes saved)” and I said to her, “Little click?” She said “OK”.
“It was a spontaneous kiss. Mutual, exhilarating and consensual. That’s the key. A consensual ‘kiss’ is enough to get me out of here?”
Pachuca player Hermoso has released a long statement regarding Social media, “I want to make it clear that at no time was the conversation that Mr. Luis Rubiales referred to in his speech, and above all, was his kiss consensual,” he said.
She added that his claims were “categorically false and part of the culture of manipulation he has engendered”.
“I feel the need to report this incident because I believe no one, in any business, sport or social environment, should be a victim of these types of non-conforming behaviour. I felt vulnerable and a victim of impulsive behavior, sexism and violence. The law of the place,” she continued. without any consent on my part.
Quite simply, I was not respected.
She added that she was under “constant pressure” to help “issue a statement that could justify” Rubiales’ actions, as were her family, friends and teammates.
“These types of incidents add to a long list of situations players have condemned. This incident is the final straw and what everyone has been able to watch live also comes with situations like the one we saw this (Friday) morning.” “It’s been a part of our team’s daily life for years,” she added.
A statement from the English Lionesses, who lost to Spain in the final, said the incident was “unacceptable”.
“The behavior of those who believe they are invincible must not be tolerated, and people must not take any convincing action to take action against any form of harassment,” she added.
“We stand with you, Jenny Hermoso.”
A statement issued by the players’ union Futpro has been signed by a group of players, including all 23 members of the Spain national team who have just won the World Cup.
It read: “After all that happened during the delivery of the Women’s World Cup medals, we would like to make it clear that all of the players who signed this letter will not return to the national team call-up if the current leaders continue.”
Spain’s next match will be against Sweden in the European Nations League on September 22.
Borja Iglesias, who plays for Real Betis, said earlier on Friday that he would not play for the men’s national team again while Rubiales was in charge.
Spanish Sports Minister Victor Francos said earlier on Friday that the Spanish government would ask Rubiales to explain his position to a Spanish court as soon as possible.
If the administrative court finds that he has violated the Professional Sports Code, he may be suspended.
Meanwhile, FIFA will consider whether his actions constitute a breach of Article 13 of its Disciplinary Code, relating to offensive conduct and fair play.