2023-08-25 19:03:00
The president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, refused to resign from his position after being questioned for having kissed soccer player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth after Spain’s victory in the World Cup and assured that “it was spoiled”. Given this, both Hermoso and 80 other players resigned from the national team.
The list of soccer players who resigned includes the 23 members of the champion squad and some who had already left due to disagreements with coach Jorge Vilda. In a statement they pointed out: “From our union we want to emphasize that no woman should feel the need to respond to the forceful images that the whole world has seen and of course, they should not be involved in non-consensual attitudes. The players of the Spanish soccer team, current world champions, expect forceful answers from the public powers so that actions such as those contained do not go unpunished.
The player had told her Instagram followers shortly after the match ended that she had not agreed to the kiss. “I didn’t like it, but what do I do?” She lamented.
Three days later, Hermoso issued an official statement in repudiation of what happened: “My Futpro union, in coordination with my TMJ agency, are taking charge of defending my interests and being the interlocutors on this matter.”
This Friday, August 25, in an emergency assembly of the RFEF, Rubiales stated: “False feminism is trying to kill me” and added that the kiss was “spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consented”.
“Is a spoiled peak to get me out of here? I appreciate being in Spain to be able to defend myself, I’m going to defend myself and whoever knows me knows that I’m going to go all the way,” he emphasized.
The Government, for its part, promised to take the incident before a sports court where, if it is shown that the kiss was not consensual, it will be judged according to the sexual violence law approved last year.
Spanish Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz described Rubiales’ statements as “unacceptable.” “The Government must act and take urgent measures: impunity for macho actions is over, Rubiales cannot continue in office,” Díaz wrote on social networks.
Rubiales blamed the player for the kiss
Rubiales said that it was Hermoso who initiated the physical contact by lifting her from the ground by her hips and explained that he asked her if he could give her “a little peck” and she replied “Okay.”
The fact for which he is questioned occurred while the players received their medals after beating England 1-0 on Sunday in the final of the World Cup in Sydney (Australia).
In addition, Rubiales was also seen holding his crotch in celebration while standing with Queen Letizia in a box at the stadium, for which he apologized on Friday.
FIFA opened a disciplinary file after Hermoso said in a statement on Wednesday that his union was working to defend his interests and asked that this type of act “do not go unpunished.”
Luis Rubiales apologized to Queen Letizia and Infanta Sofía
Rubiales expressed his regret for having touched his genitals in the presence of Queen Letizia and Princess Sofía, and apologized to them and to the Royal House. “I want to apologize without palliatives of any kind for an event that happened in the box, when in a moment of euphoria I grabbed that part of the body that you have already seen,” he began.
“I am going to proceed to explain it by looking at Jorge Vilda (women’s soccer coach), we have been through a lot, Jorge, they have done the same thing to you that they have tried to do to me. We have suffered a lot, we have swallowed a lot, you and I and your team. But, look, I was very excited to the point of losing control and taking my hand there, when I saw that you turned to the box and dedicated it to me, ”he explained.
“Of course, I have to apologize to the Queen, the Infanta, the Royal House and anyone who has been offended. My deepest apologies. The emotion was great and everything we had been through. Sorry,” she finished.
RB / Dog
1692990984
#Rubiales #gate #Jenni #Hermoso #Spanish #players #resigned #national #team