Jennifer Hermoso demands action be taken against Luis Rubiales for World Cup kiss

The Spanish footballer at the centre of the World Cup final kissing saga has issued a scathing statement to demand action be taken against Luis Rubiales as others want him sacked.

Luis Rubiales. Picture: Thomas COEX / AFP.

The Spanish footballer at the centre of the World Cup final kissing saga has broken her silence to demand action be taken against the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales.

The 45-year-old sparked global outrage when he grabbed Jennifer Hermoso by her head with both of his hands and kissed her on the lips after Spain defeated England 1-0 in the final.

Such was the outpouring of fury by his behaviour, Spain’s government minister for equality described the moment as “a form of sexual violence women suffer on a daily basis”.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Hermoso said she “didn’t like it” in reference to the kiss.

A statement on her behalf was then issued by the Spanish Federation which said: “It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that winning a World Cup brings.”

It has since been said that these words were not approved by Hermoso and were released without her consent.

On Wednesday the 33-year-old midfielder did release a statement.

“My union, FUTPRO, in coordination with my agency, TMJ, are taking care of defending my interests and being the interlocutors on this matter.”

Luis Rubiales has been slammed for kissing Jenni Hermoso.

FUTPRO added that “acts (like that of Rubiales) should never go unpunished” and that they would be looking to “sanction and adopt measures to protect the players against actions we believe are unacceptable.

“We ask the RFEF to implement the necessary protocols and to ensure the rights of our players and adopt exemplary measures.

“It is essential that our national team is represented by figures that project its values of equality and respect in all areas.

“It is necessary to continue advancing in the fight for equality, a fight that our female players have led with determination, bringing us to the position we are in today.”

Reports from the Spanish camp have also claimed that during the Spanish team’s flight home from Sydney, Hermoso was pressured by the Rubiales to appear in a video alongside him in a bid to ease escalating tensions with the chief fully aware his tenure was at risk.

Hermoso refused the request which then prompted underfire Spain coach Jorge Vilda to approach her family and pressure them into convincing her.

According to several witnesses he made three separate attempts to the relatives that were travelling on the charter flight in a bid to resolve the developing crisis.

According to Relevo, a Spanish Sport news website, Vilda said “he needed them (family) to tell the player that it was best to speak out and downplay this issue that was staining the celebration of the greatest feat of Spanish women’s football.”

On arrival in Doha, Rubiales recorded an apology video alone in which he said: “It was without bad intention at a time with a lot of excitement. In the moment, we saw it as natural, but outside a commotion has formed.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (C) with the World Cup winners. Picture: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)

MORE ACTION WANTED

The Spanish government on demanded transparency and urgent action from the country’s football federation against Rubiales.

Rubiales initially attacked his critics before eventually apologising but the criticism of his behaviour has not abated.

The RFEF called an emergency meeting for Friday and activated an internal investigation into the incident, amid mounting pressure to take action against Rubiales.

Victor Francos, Spain’s secretary of sport and president of the country’s sports council (CSD), said the council would take action if the RFEF did not — they can raise the case to Spain’s Administrative Court for Sports.

“I imagine that what the responsible people will do is talk to the two parties involved and issue a report,” Francos told radio station Cadena Ser.

“I have personally told the federation this report has to be transparent and urgent, because, if it is not, obviously we are obliged to take the corresponding additional measures.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Tuesday that Rubiales’ apology for the kiss was insufficient.

“The government has said what it has said -— it is an unacceptable act, more steps (are happening) and we will use our instruments to prove transparency in the process and the corresponding resolution, if the time comes,” added Francos.

Rubiales has come under fire across the world and at home in Spain, with some Spanish clubs calling for him to step down.

“What Rubiales has to do is resign, his behaviour has been deplorable,” said Getafe’s president Angel Torres on Wednesday.

“He cannot continue for a minute more as president of the federation.”

American forward Megan Rapinoe, the world’s highest-profile women’s player, was similarly scathing in an interview with The Atlantic on Tuesday.

“What kind of upside-down world are we in? On the biggest stage, where you should be celebrating, Jenni has to be physically assaulted by this guy,” said Rapinoe.

She referred to Rubiales’ behaviour at the final as portraying “a deep level of misogyny and sexism”.

“He has harassed and, without any doubt, assaulted a woman,” Yolanda Diaz, Second Deputy Prime Minister and leader of political party Sumar, said on Tuesday, adding that Rubiales should resign.

“The (sports council) must act so that machismo does not go unpunished,” added Diaz on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday, adding that Sumar had reported Rubiales to the body.

Originally published as Jennifer Hermoso demands action be taken against Luis Rubiales for World Cup kiss