An association representing Spanish striker Jennifer Hermoso, who was accepted by Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales, said the incident should not go unpunished.
Rubiales He apologized For the incident that followed Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.
The incident may drew international criticism With the government ministers demanding the resignation of Rubiales.
Hermoso said Futpro would “defend my interests” on the matter.
The 33-year-old had initially said on Instagram that she “didn’t like” Rubiales’ behavior after the 1-0 win over England, but a statement was later issued on behalf of the player to defend him.
On Monday, Rubiales said in a video statement that he was “totally wrong.”
In a joint statement with her union and agency on Wednesday, Hermoso said, “My union Futpro, in coordination with my agency TMJ, takes care of defending my interests and being the interlocutor on this matter.”
“We are working to ensure that acts like those we have seen never go unpunished, that they are punished and that exemplary measures are in place to protect female footballers from actions we believe are unacceptable,” the Footpro statement said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Rubiales’ actions were an “unacceptable gesture” and that his apology was “not sufficient”, while Spain’s second deputy prime minister, Yolanda Diaz, called for his resignation.
Spain’s Women’s First Division said Rubiales should be disqualified after he “spoiled” the World Cup victory and caused “unprecedented international embarrassment to Spain, Spanish sport and women’s football in the world”.
The Spanish Football Federation called for an extraordinary general assembly to be held on Friday “urgently”.
The International Federation of Professional Players (Fifpro) has requested an investigation into Rubiales’ actions under the FIFA Code of Ethics.
Video footage also circulated online showing Rubiales, who was sitting in the stadium’s VIP area near FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Queen Letizia of Spain, holding the thigh as he celebrated the final whistle.
In a statement in which La Liga confirmed that it had lodged a complaint with the National Sports Council (CSD) demanding Rubiales’ exclusion, it added: “One of the greatest achievements in the history of Spanish football has been tarnished by the shameful behavior of the highest representative of Spain.” soccer.
“It is an incident that has entered the history of world sport and, more importantly, will be forever associated with our women’s national team.”
Rubiales also said in his statement: “It was without ill intent at a time when there was a lot of excitement. At that moment, we saw it as normal, but outside there was a commotion.”
“I have to apologize and learn from this and understand that when you are president you have to be more careful.”