Dozens of members of the Spanish women’s national soccer team say they won’t play for the country until Luis Rubiales is removed as the national federation chief.
Their move follows Rubiales’ refusal to quit earlier on Friday over his behaviour after Spain’s World Cup final triumph in Australia when he kissed one of the players, Jenni Hermoso, on the lips.
Hermoso said on Friday that ‘in no moment’ did she consent to the kiss by Spanish federation president Rubiales as anger increased among players and government ministers who decried his actions as unacceptable misogynist behaviour.
“I felt vulnerable and a victim of an assault, an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part. Simply, I was not respected,” said Hermoso in a statement on social media.
“The words of Mr Luis Rubiales explaining the unfortunate incident are categorically false, and part of the manipulative culture that he himself has generated.
“I clarify that in no moment did the conversation happen that (he) referenced, and much less, was the kiss consensual. I want to reiterate, as I did at the time, that this act was not to my liking.”
A total of 56 players, including Hermoso and all of the World Cup-winning 23-strong side, signed a joint statement sent via their FUTPRO union demanding the removal of the federation leadership.
Spanish Federation president Luis Rubiales. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“I won’t resign,” Luis Rubiales declared four times in quick succession at an emergency general assembly of the federation on Friday.
The 46-year-old, who was also chastised for grabbing his crotch after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England on Sunday, is under immense pressure to leave his post after he grasped Hermoso during the awards ceremony in Sydney.
Criticism has steadily mounted. Spain’s acting prime minister, players unions, players for Spain’s women’s team, and some players on men’s teams have said he must go.
Several Spanish news media outlets had reported Rubiales would step down. Instead, he remained defiant Friday, claiming before the federation’s assembly that the kiss was “mutual and with the consent” of Hermoso and that he is the victim of a witch hunt by “false feminists.”
He was applauded by the overwhelming male assembly.
While Rubiales held his ground, federation vice president Rafael del Amo, who had been in charge of women’s soccer, announced that he was resigning, followed by at least two other federation members. Del Amo had urged Rubiales to also resign.
Among those supporting Rubiales were women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda and men’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente.
Hermoso had said in a video streamed on social media after the kiss that “I didn’t like it, but what can I do?” Later, her players union issued a statement on her behalf saying that it would defend her interests and ensure that the act “does not go unpunished.”
In his speech to the assembly on Friday, Rubiales said Hermoso “lifted me up” in a celebratory gesture and he asked her for “a little kiss?” and she “said yes.”
“The kiss was the same I could give one of my daughters,” Rubiales said.
Hermoso contradicted Rubiales’ version in a statement issued later through her FUTRPO players’ union.
She said “in no moment did I consent to the kiss that he gave me and in no moment did I try to pick up the president.
“I won’t tolerate anyone putting in doubt my word and even more so that anyone invents words that I did not say.”
Rubiales said he would defend his honour in court against politicians, including two ministers, who called his kiss an act of sexual violence. One of them was acting Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, who urged the government to take “urgent measures.”
“Impunity for macho actions is over,” Díaz said. “Rubiales cannot continue in office.”
Redcap
Roar Guru
Surely he's gotta go. Surely... Then again, the awful Ángel Villar held the RFEF job for 20 years despite repeatedly demonstrating his unsuitability. The only way they got rid of him was when he got a job with UEFA. Never underestimate institutional inertia in Spain. :unhappy:
Anthony Ferguson
Roar Rookie
The world has changed for the better, but some men still fail to read the room.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
“Impunity for macho actions is over,” Díaz said. “Rubiales cannot continue in office.” This sums it up for me, it's as if FIFA's boys club continues with no accountability, all the more galling that it would happen at the very end of what was the best ever WWC. People might think it unfair to bring FIFA into it, but you know what? Who was responsible for bringing in the Saudis as a major sponsor of a WWC? Give me a break. And now we hear that the FA is wanting to sue the player involved, basically for making the rather obvious statement that the violation was not sought by her. Where is FIFA in this? Is Infantino still rabbiting on about his daughters? If this doesn't have the outcome that we all know is the only appropriate one, it leaves a massive stain on FIFA, the Spanish FA and the WWC.
Grem
Roar Rookie
A Penrith official dismissed this as boys having fun. Perhaps that’s how males have fun at the Penrith RL club.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
There is a new Hopoate on the scene, but was it an accidental poke or is it another serial offender? Hopoate did it to his teammates at training all time and coach laughed at it.
Grem
Roar Rookie
He should resign immediately. Also, why isn’t more being made of the Penrith player who stuck his fingers in the backside of a Parramatta player? According to Penrith officials, that’s a bit of fun. It’s actually sexual assault and he should be out as well.
chris1
Roar Rookie
It makes you wonder how this bloke ever got as high as he has. Grabbing his crotch in celebration, picking up women and full face planting kisses - all on global showing. It's sad that he has lost his job etc, as there are probably way more disgraceful individuals in UEFA/FIFA - but I guess don't do it on global TV.