Players from Barcelona and Club America expressed their support for Jennifer Hermoso, a star for Spain at the World Cup, when RFEF president Luis Rubiales kissed her on the lips.
Before Tuesday night’s friendly between Barca and Club America in Mexico City, players from both teams carried a banner that said, “It’s over, you’re not alone.”
The players put up a T-shirt with the words “Jenni, for you and for all of us” written on it.
Since he kissed Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women’s World Cup final earlier this month in Sydney, Rubiales has been at the center of a maelstrom of controversy.
People accused him of attacking Hermoso and detracting from Spain’s triumph after his actions caused a global uproar.
Rubiales claimed to the authorities that Hermoso let him to kiss her after he sought permission; however, the player adamantly disputes this claim.
Hermoso stated in a statement last week, “I want to clarify, that at no time did I consent to the kiss.”
“I don’t tolerate having my word questioned, much less having words made up that I haven’t said,” the speaker declares.
As the director of the RFEF, Rubiales has also come under fire for groping his crotch in front of Spain’s Queen Letizia and her adolescent daughter Sofia. He has subsequently apologized for the incident.
With FIFA aiming to suspend the official from all football for 15 years in the wake of the scandal and having already issued a temporary suspension, Spanish FA officials have demanded Rubiales quit immediately.
Meanwhile, Hermoso has received a lot of backing from players and supporters.
Following his astonishing refusal to resign during an emergency assembly on Friday, the 46-year-old’s 23 teammates from Spain’s World Cup-winning team signed a statement pledging not to play until he was fired.
