Kiss debate escalated after Spain’s World Cup win

Hermoso responded to Rubiales’ refusal to resign on Friday with a detailed statement that could hardly have been clearer. In addition, the Spanish government also clearly opposed Rubiales.

“I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulsive, sexist and inappropriate act that I didn’t consent to. Put simply, I wasn’t respected,” the 33-year-old wrote in an Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, social media outlet. common explanation.

Shortly before, all the players in the Spanish team had announced that they would not play again as long as Rubiales was still in office. “Following everything that happened at the Women’s World Cup, we want to make it clear that all the players who have signed will not play for the national team if the current leadership remains in place,” read the statement published on X by the players’ union Futpro, which is governed by 81 soccer players was signed.

The Spanish government also opposed the 46-year-old Rubiales. Spain’s acting Deputy Prime Minister Teresa Ribera told the Europa Press news agency that she will do everything “in her power” to ensure that Rubiales loses his post. Sport Minister Miquel Iceta reiterated that the government is working to see Rubiales removed from office quickly. “As far as it depends on us, it’s the last hours of Rubiales,” he told the newspaper El País.

The highest Spanish sports authority CSD applied to the national sports court Tad for the suspension of Rubiales. “Mr. Rubiales was disappointed in his reaction, he didn’t do what he should have done,” said CSD boss Víctor Francos.

Association threatens legal action

The Spanish football association RFEF accused Hermoso of lying and threatened her with legal action. In a statement on Saturday night, the RFEF called Hermoso’s account that the kiss on her mouth by controversial President Luis Rubiales at the award ceremony in Sydney not by mutual consent was a lie.

“She agreed to the kiss”

To substantiate this, the federation released four photos showing that Hermoso, in the exuberance of celebration, lifted Rubiales, hugged him and agreed to the kiss. Rubiales himself also presented himself as a victim in a speech to the association’s extraordinary general assembly on Friday in Madrid and refused to resign as many had demanded.

After the 1-0 victory in the World Cup final against England last Sunday in Sydney, Rubiales held Hermoso’s head with both hands and kissed him on the mouth. A little later, Hermoso said in a video that she didn’t think it was great. As a result, a large number of politicians, other football officials and players massively criticized Rubiales and called for his resignation.