World Cup 2023 kiss saga: Spain coach and federation boss pressured Jennifer Hermoso

Spanish media reports have exposed lies told by the football federation, after the World Cup kiss saga sparked global outrage, and the two men that pressured the player to speak out.

SPANISH FA chief Luis Rubiales has been slammed for grabbing and kissing star player Jenni Hermoso.

A wild twist in the Jennifer Hermoso World Cup final kiss saga that has sparked global outrage suggests that the player was pressured by the Spain coach and Football Federation to appear in a video alongside the chief to ease escalating tensions.

Luis Rubiales, 45, kissed Hermoso as he handed the Spanish team their gold medals after they beat England 1-0 in the World Cup final.

The kiss was unsolicited and, afterwards, Hermoso posted a video during which she said she “didn’t like it”.

Reports in Spain claim Rubiales begged Hermoso to appear in his apology video with him during their flight from Sydney to Doha earlier this week with the federation boss 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.

Spain's defender Hermoso is congratuled by President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales

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.

“I have to apologise, learn from this, and understand that when you are president you have to be more careful.”

Video footage circulated online after the match also showed Rubiales, who was sitting in the VIP area of the stadium, near Spain’s Queen Letizia and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, grab his groin as he celebrated the final whistle.

In the aftermath of the saga, the Spanish Federation released a statement “on behalf of Hermoso” which said: “This was a totally spontaneous and mutual gesture due to the immense joy that winning the World Cup gave us.

“The president and I have a great relationship, his behaviour with everyone has been excellent and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.

“We have won a World Cup and we are not going to lose sight of what is important.”

According to Relevo the statement was written by the Federations communications team and had not been approved by Hermoso.

Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales has been slammed for grabbing and kissing star player Jenni Hermoso.

Since arriving back in Spain Hermoso and her family have refused any questions regarding the kiss.

One football star that has refused to be silent on the matter is Megan Rapinoe who has slammed the incident as “a deep level of misogyny and sexism”.

A long advocate for the treatment of women, LGBTQIA+ affiliates and other minority groups, the gravity of the act however was not lost on the newly retired star.

“It made me think about how much we are required to endure,” Rapinoe said in her first interview since the USA’s shock early exit form the World Cup.

“Think how much that Spanish team had to shoulder: Some of the players who stood up way back last year [to protest abusive treatment by their coach] still aren’t on the team. Maybe that was something that galvanised them, but you shouldn’t have to have that.

“It signals such a deep level of misogyny and sexism in that federation and in that man at the final whistle, just grabbing his crotch.

Megan Rapinoe was sickened by the kiss

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

Rapinoe’s sentiments were echoed by Spain’s Prime Minister who has blasted Rubiales’s apology as “insufficient”.

“What we saw was an unacceptable gesture,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.

“I also think the apologies given by Mr Rubiales are insufficient. And I even think that they are inappropriate, and that he must go further.”

The RFEF has also announced that it would call an extraordinary general assembly on Friday “as a matter of urgency” to address the incident.

Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz called for Rubiales to resign, saying “his excuses do not work at all”, while Equality Minister Irene Montero said a non-consensual kiss is “a kind of sex violence all women suffer daily”.

“It is very simple. Two people kiss if they both want to, if there is consent. Only yes is yes,” Montero added on social media.

The incident has brought further shame on a federation already under a cloud of controversy.

Spain’s preparations for the World Cup were thrown into disarray last September when 15 players sent an email to the Spanish federation saying they did not want to be considered for selection.

Their protest was aimed chiefly at coach Vilda and his methods, including complaints that he is too strict and abusive.

Rubiales supported Vilda and only three of the 15 were recalled for the World Cup.

Originally published as World Cup 2023 kiss saga: Spain coach and federation boss pressured Jennifer Hermoso