JENNI HERMOSO insists she did NOT consent to being kissed by Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales after the Women’s World Cup final.
The 33-year-old admitted she “felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression” in the immediate aftermath of the incident, which unfolded during the medal ceremony.
GettyHermoso has admitted that she did not consent to the ‘shock’ kiss[/caption]
AFPRubiales has refused to resign over the issue[/caption]
Rubiales has since received widespread criticism, but on Friday he refused to resign after blaming “false feminism” for his “social assassination”.
The RFEF president also insisted that the kiss with Hermoso was consented.
But this was later disputed by the forward, who released a lengthy statement about the ordeal.
It read: “After achieving one of the most desired successes of my sports career and after a few days of reflection, I want to wholeheartedly thank my teammates, fans, followers, the media and all of you who have made this dream come true; Your work and unconditional support have been a fundamental part of winning the World Cup.
“In reference to what happened today. Although it is true that for my part I do not want to interfere with the multiple legal processes in progress, I feel compelled to denounce that 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 at no time did the conversation to which Mr. Luis Rubiales referred to take place and that, far from it, his kiss was consented. In the same way I want to reiterate as I did at the time that this fact had not been to my liking.
“The situation caused me a shock due to the context of the celebration, and with the passage of time and after delving a little deeper into those first feelings, I feel the need to denounce this fact since I consider that no person, in any area work, sports or social should be a victim of this type of non-consensual behaviour.
“I felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression, an impulsive, sexist, out of place act and without any kind of consent on my part. I just wasn’t respected.
GettyThe forward also revealed that she was pressured into making a statement by the RFEF[/caption]
“I was asked to make a joint statement to take the pressure off the president, but at that moment in my head I only had the idea of enjoying the historic milestone reached together with my teammates.
“For this reason, at all times I informed the RFEF and its different interlocutors, as well as the media and people I trust that I would not make any type of individual or joint statement on this matter, since I understood that, if I did, I would still remove more prominence to such a special moment for my colleagues and me.
“Despite my decision, I have to state that I have been under continuous pressure to come up with a statement that could justify the act of Mr. Luis Rubiales.
“Not only that, but in different ways and through different people, the RFEF has pressured my environment (family, friends, colleagues, etc.) to give testimony that had little or nothing to do with my feelings.
“It is not up to me to evaluate communication and integrity practices, but I am sure that as the World Champion National Team we do not deserve such a manipulative, hostile and controlling culture.
“This type of incident joins a long list of situations that we players have been denouncing in recent years, so this fact, in which I have been involved, is just the straw that breaks the camel’s back and what everyone has been able to see, but attitudes like this have been part of the day-to-day life of our team for years.
“For all these reasons, I want to reinforce the position I took from the beginning, considering that I do not have to support the person who has committed this action against my will, without respecting me, at a historic moment for me and for women’s sport. from this country.
“In no case can it be my responsibility to assume the consequences of transmitting something in which I do not believe, which is why I have refused the pressures received. ZERO TOLERANCE with these behaviors.
“I want to close by making it very clear that although I am the one expressing these words, it is all the players in Spain and the world who have given me the strength to come out with this statement.
“Faced with such a show of disrespect and inability to recognise one’s own mistakes and assume the consequences, I have made the decision not to play for the National Team again as long as the current leaders continue.
“Thank you all for the messages of support and words of encouragement received. I know I am not alone and thanks to all of you we will get ahead more united. I leave this issue to the people I trust TMJ and FUTPRO and they will continue working on the next steps based on recent events.”
The Spanish government have now opened legal proceedings in a bid to suspend Rubiales.
However, the RFEF remain adamant that he is innocent.
In an extraordinary statement, released late Friday night, the Spanish Football Federation sensationally claimed: “Mr. President has not lied.”
The statement referenced four still images of the kiss as “evidence” of Rubiales’ stance.
Spanish FAPhoto 1: Hermoso hugs Rubiales[/caption]
It read: “Photo 1: Ms. Jennifer Hermoso, with her arms, grabs the RFEF President from behind, while Mr. President has his arms loose on the upper part of the player’s back. Therefore, no force could exert. You can see how Mr. President has the heels of his feet raised slightly.
“Photo 2: Ms. Jennifer Hermoso keeps her arms around Mr. President’s back. Mr. President keeps his arms on top of the player’s body. It is verified how Mr. President already has much higher heels.
“Photo 3: Mrs. Jennifer Hermoso continues to keep her arms in the same position as the president’s body while the president must bring his arms closer to the player’s back as a result of having lifted him off the ground and to maintain balance. The inclination of the back of Mrs. Jennifer Hermoso that occurs when she is performing an action of force is indisputable. Mr. President’s feet are clearly and manifestly lifted off the ground as a result of the action of force carried out by the player.
“Photo 4: Mrs. Jennifer Hermoso continues to keep her arms in the same position as the president’s body while the president must continue to hold on to the players so as not to fall and it is evident that the arching of the player’s body corresponds to the lifting force of Mr. President you are performing. The feet of Mr. President are ostensibly raised off the ground as a result of the player’s action.
Spanish FAPhoto 4: the feet of Rubiales are raised off the floor[/caption]
“The evidence is conclusive. Mr. President has not lied.”
Although British broadcasters failed to capture the moment Rubiales was lifted by Hermoso, fan footage circulating on social media briefly shows the incident.
The RFEF has even threatened legal action against the 81 players that have refused to represent Spain’s women’s team until Rubiales is dismissed.