81 players indicate they will not play for Spain’s women’s team unless he is removed from his position, including Jenni Hermoso, who claims she did not agree to being kissed by Spanish football federation head Luis Rubiales.
After kissing Hermoso on the lips during Spain’s victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, Rubiales has resisted calls for his resignation.
The 46-year-old is the subject of legal action by the Spanish government to suspend him, and Fifa has also instituted disciplinary action.
At an emergency general meeting convened by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Rubiales was generally anticipated to step down. Instead, he remarked, “I don’t deserve this manhunt.”
“Jenni was the one who lifted me up,” he said. I commanded her to “forget about the punishment [that Mary Earps avoided]” and asked her, “How about a little peck?” She said, “OK.”
“It was an impulsive kiss. mutual, ecstatic, and voluntary. That is crucial. I may leave this place with just a mutual “peck”?
Hermoso, a Pachuca player, sent a lengthy statement on social media stating: “I want to make clear that at no time did the conversation to which Mr. Luis Rubiales refers in his address take place and, above all, was his kiss ever consensual.”
His assertions, she said, were “completely false and are a product of the manipulative culture he has created.”
“I feel the need to report this occurrence because I believe no one should be a victim of these kinds of non-consensual behaviors in any business, sports, or social context. I felt exposed and a victim of an impulsive, sexist, inappropriate conduct without my consent, she said.
Simply said, “I wasn’t respected.”
She continued by saying that she, along with her family, friends, and team members, had been “under continuous pressure” to contribute to a “statement that could justify” Rubiales’ conduct.
“These kinds of actions are only the latest in a long line of instances that the players have been criticizing. The event is the “last straw,” she continued. “What everyone has seen on live television also comes with attitudes like the ones we witnessed this morning [Friday] that have been a part of our team’s everyday lives for years.
The event was called “unacceptable” in a statement by England’s Lionesses, who lost to Spain in the championship game.
The statement continued, “The actions of individuals who believe they are untouchable must not be accepted, and people should not need persuasion to take action against any sort of harassment.
“Jenni Hermoso, we support you.”
Union of players statement Numerous athletes, including all 23 members of the Spain team that just won the World Cup, registered with Futpro.
We wish to emphasize that all the players who sign this letter will not return to a call for the national team if the existing leaders continue after all that occurred during the Women’s World Cup medal delivery.
The Nations League matchup between Spain and Sweden occurs on September 22.
Real Betis player Borja Iglesias earlier on Friday declared he will not participate in another national team match while Rubiales is in charge.
According to Victor Francos, the secretary of sport, the Spanish government will urge Rubiales to defend himself in court as soon as feasible.
He may then be suspended if the administrative court finds that he broke the rules governing professional sports.
Fifa will investigate if his acts violate Article 13 of its disciplinary code, which deals with offensive behavior and fair play, in the meanwhile.
