The Spanish Football Association (RFEF) have vowed to take legal action against their own player Jenni Hermoso after the Spain Women star released a statement about president Luis Rubiales. In response to the RFEF chief’s bizarre press conference on Friday where he refused to resign, Hermoso levelled accusations against Rubiales insisting she did not consent to him kissing her during their World Cup celebrations in Australia.
In responding to claims made by Hermoso on Friday, the RFEF backed Rubiales by insisting the “evidence is conclusive” that “the president did not lie”. Instead, the governing body pledged to take legal action against Pachuca footballer Hermoso, who was part of the side that won the Women’s World Cup only last week.
Their statement read: “The RFEF and Mr President will demonstrate each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable, by the player herself.
“The RFEF and the President, given the seriousness of the content of the press release from the Futpro union, will initiate the corresponding legal actions.
Rubiales has faced mounting pressure from players, clubs and famous figures in Spain to resign from his role after he kissed forward Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win over England in Sydney.
However, he defiantly refused in front of the media in a press conference on Friday and doubled down on his assertion that Hermoso had consented to the kiss.
This claim was refuted by the Spain Women international, who released a statement in which she denied the kiss was consensual and accused Rubiales of making comments that were “categorically false and part of the manipulative culture that he has generated”.
“I want to make clear that at no time did the conversation to which Mr Luis Rubiales refers to in his address take place and, above all, was his kiss ever consensual.”
Hermoso added: “I feel the need to report this incident because I believe no person, in any work, sports or social setting should be a victim of these types of non-consensual behaviours.
“I felt vulnerable and a victim of impulsive-driven, sexist, out-of-place act, without any consent on my part. Quite simply, I was not respected.”
Her statement was also signed by several members of the World Cup-winning team after it was released to the public on Friday. On Saturday, England’s Lionesses made their position clear by launching a scathing attack on the Spanish FA’s ‘sexist and patriarchal’ organisation.
While the RFEF have remained firm in their support of under-fire Rubiales, Hermoso has been backed by her fellow Spain players, who have threatened to go on strike if the 46-year-old supremo is not removed from his position.
Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias is joining the boycott of the men’s Spain national team if Rubiales remains in power, while former international stopper Iker Casillas and ex-Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea have criticised his conduct on social media.
FIFA have already launched disciplinary proceedings with an investigation into his conduct along with Spain’s Superior Sports Council, following a complaint from the Spanish women’s football league, Liga F.
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