Following Luis Rubiales’s verdict that he wouldn’t step down as the President of the Spanish Federation, the victim of the incident and the recent World Cup winner for Spain, Jenni Hermoso, spoke up on the matter. Hermoso’s stance remains clear that in “no moment” did she consent to a kiss on the lips by soccer federation president Luis Rubiales.
In a recently released statement, Hermoso said, “I want to clarify that, as seen in the images, at no time did I consent to the kiss he planted on me and, of course, in no way did I seek to lift up the president. I do not tolerate my word being questioned and let alone invent words I didn’t say.”
“I want to clarify that as seen in images,at no time did I consent to the kiss he gave me.i will not tolerate my word being doubted”
Jenny Hermoso pic.twitter.com/uU5Aa8f7gn— jim axon (@jimaxon66) August 26, 2023
Hermoso revealed that the unwanted kiss left her in a state of shock. This incident has raised concerns about personal boundaries and appropriate behavior in workplaces and professional environments. Regardless of the situation, no person should have to endure non-consensual actions that make them uncomfortable.
The federation, according to Hermoso, put pressure on her and her family to speak out in Rubiales’ favor. The federation previously refuted a claim that it coerced her into issuing a statement shortly after the kiss that minimized it.
However, Rubiales’s verdict remains the same as well. He claimed Hermoso “lifted me up” in a celebratory gesture during his speech to the crowd on Friday, and he asked her for “a little kiss?” to which she “said yes.”
Collective letter signals Champions’ call to oust Luis Rubiales
As a result of the scandal surrounding soccer federation president Luis Rubiales kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the World Cup, dozens of members of the Spanish women’s national team declared on Friday that they would not compete for their nation until Rubiales was fired.
Players from NWSL’s Orlando Pride & San Diego Wave wear “Contigo Jenni” (“With You Jenni”) wrist tape in support of Jenni Hermoso, after she was forcibly kissed by Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales moments after 🇪🇸 won the Women’s World Cup title.pic.twitter.com/zj7kiLwIl5
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) August 26, 2023
Earlier on Friday, Rubiales resisted stepping down, which enraged players and government ministers who denounced his actions as unacceptable misogynistic behavior.
In a strong show of unity, 56 players from the Spanish women’s national football team have joined forces to call for a change in leadership. Among these players is Jenni Hermoso, along with the entire winning squad of 23 players from the recent World Cup.
🚨 Las jugadoras de la @SEFutbolFem, campeonas del mundo y otras futbolistas, en apoyo a @Jennihermoso , manifiestan su firme condena ante conductas que han atentado contra la dignidad de las mujeres.
El comunicado queda abierto a las futbolistas que se quieran adherir#seacabo pic.twitter.com/PW91SW9Ts0— FUTPRO (@futpro_es) August 25, 2023
These players came together through their FUTPRO union and signed a joint statement, making a clear demand for the removal of the current leaders of the football federation.
“After everything that happened during the World Cup award ceremony, we want to state that every player that has signed this statement will not go back to the national team under the current leaders.”
The letter’s significance goes beyond the World Cup-winning team. Numerous soccer stars from all over Spain have signed it, displaying the widespread concern and unity among the nation’s football community.
