Jennifer “Jenni” Hermoso.Photo:AP Photo/John Cowpland
AP Photo/John Cowpland
Jenni Hermoso and her teammates are not backing down afterLuis Rubiales, the president of Spain’s soccer federation, said he will not resign after reportedly kissing her on the lips.
Rubiales, 46, has been the subject of backlash afterhe kissed the midfielderfollowing theWorld Cup final.
“I’ve come under a lot of pressure. Perhaps somebody will look to remove me on Monday. But we live in a country of laws. Is a consensual kiss enough to remove me? I’m going to fight until the end. I hope the law is followed, and that as there’s no reason to [remove me], it won’t happen,” he said during a speech to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), on Friday,per ESPN.
Luis Rubiales.Europa Press via AP
Europa Press via AP
After the victory in which Spain scored a 1-0 win over England, Rubiales was allegedly also seen kissing several other players on the face during their celebration and allegedlygrabbing his crotchin the crowd.
According to theAssociated Press, Rubiales said on Friday that “false feminists” are on a witch hunt.
“The kiss was the same I could give one of my daughters,” Rubiales said, according to the outlet.
Hermosoissued her own statementon Friday on X, formally known as Twitter.According to PBS, Hermoso said in her statement issued in Spanish that “in no moment did I consent to the kiss that he gave me and in no moment did I try to pick up the president.”
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“From our association, we ask the Royal Spanish Football Federation to implement the necessary protocols, [and] ensure the rights of our players,” thestatement read in part.
ESPNreports that the president of Spain’s Sports Council (CSD) and Victor Francos, its secretary of state for sport, have confirmed that the CSD will seek to remove Rubiales and will present a complaint to the country’s Administrative Sports Court (TAD).
Spain’s Sports Council did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’S request for comment.
source: people.com
