Luis Rubiales insists he will not step down after kissing Jennifer Hermoso during the World Cup trophy presentation; Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual, Rubiales has doubled down and says he will sue Hermoso; 81 Spanish players have said they will not play for the country again
Under-fire national football federation president Rubiales has refused to resign despite being widely criticised for kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips at the medal and trophy presentation.
Hermoso said on Friday through a statement released by players' union FUTPRO that "in no moment" did she consent to a kiss on the lips by Rubiales who claimed in an emergency meeting of the Spanish soccer federation that the kiss was consensual."
Hermoso then released her own statement on Friday evening revealing how she was left feeling "shocked" and "vulnerable" after "an impulse-driven sexist out of place act without any consent".
The 33-year-old also claims she was asked to make a joint statement to "alleviate pressure" on Rubiales in the immediate aftermath of the incident."
Since confirming earlier this week that the kiss was not consensual, Hermoso stated she has been "under continuous pressure to make a statement that could justify Rubiales' actions". She also claims different people have pressured her family, friends and team-mates to give a testimony that "had little or nothing to do with my feelings".
After a full day of accusations and counteraccusations between Hermoso and Rubiales, the federation issued a statement early Saturday saying that its president did not lie and that he and the organization would take legal action against Hermoso and her union. The statement included photos that it said show Hermoso lifting Rubiales off the ground during the medals ceremony."
England Women released a statement via captain Leah Williamson in support of Hermoso and the Spanish team that defeated them 1-0 in the World Cup final.
It read: "Unacceptable actions allowed to happen by a sexist and patriarchal organisation. Abuse is abuse and we have all seen the truth.
"The behaviour of those who think they are invincible must not be tolerated and people shouldn't need convincing to take action against any form of harassment.
"We all stand with you, @jennihermoso and all players of the Spanish team."
About 100 people, mostly women, gathered Friday night in front of the Spanish Soccer Federation's headquarters in Madrid to call for Rubiales' resignation, many waving red cards used by soccer referees to expel players from games."
Players demand Rubiales departure
"A total of 81 players, including Hermoso and all of the cup-winning 23-strong side, signed a joint statement sent via their FUTPRO union demanding the removal of the federation leadership.
The Spanish media had widely reported on Thursday evening that Rubiales would stand down at an extraordinary general assembly of the Spanish federation (RFEF) on Friday but instead he was defiant.
There have already been a number of resignations from the RFEF over the incident and the subsequent fall-out, including Rafael del Amo resigning from his post as president of Spain's women's football committee.
The Spanish government are pushing for the suspension of Rubiales with Victor Francos, head of the state-run National Sports Council, saying the government wants this to be "the 'Me Too' of Spanish football" in reference to the movement seeking to highlight and prevent sexual violence towards women.
Francos told a press conference in Tarragona: "What Mr Rubiales has done is aggravate the situation. The government will not be impassive.
"Mr Rubiales said he was not resigning. We want to convey one thing with all the institutional respect that the president of the RFEF deserves.
"The government begins today the procedures so that Mr Rubiales has to give explanations before the Administrative Court of Sport (TAD) and, if the TAD is willing, we will suspend Mr Rubiales in his functions.
"Today we will file a complaint with the TAD. The complaint will arrive this afternoon and we request that there be an extraordinary meeting of the court next Monday.
"We want this to be the 'Me Too' of Spanish football and that this means a change. I apologise to the players, because they didn't deserve this week. Hopefully we can celebrate again when this storm passes."
- Sky Sports
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