In the kiss scandal, player Jenni Hermoso issues a statement saying she never consented to the kiss. Association president Rubiales had described the kiss as “consensual”.

Professional footballer Jenni Hermoso has spoken out and stated that the kiss from the federation president was by no means consensual. In the debate surrounding the disturbing scene at the medal ceremony in Sydney, numerous players, her club Real Madrid and the Spanish government have sided with Jenni Hermoso against the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales.

Olga Carmona, who scored a goal in the final, expressed her solidarity with her teammate on X (formerly Twitter).

Estamos contigo @Jennihermoso ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JvSlSUlWRV

— Olga Carmona (@7olgacarmona) August 25, 2023

Rubiales sees himself as a victim

Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has rejected calls for him to resign following the kissing scandal at the Women’s World Cup in Sydney this Friday. “I’m not resigning. I will fight to the end,” the 46-year-old said on Friday at an extraordinary general assembly of the Spanish association RFEF. During his speech, Rubiales received backing in the form of applause from many officials in the hall.

Spain’s left-wing government wants to take the matter to a sports court to have the football boss lose his job. Apparently, Rubiales’ statements did not convince the cabinet in Madrid. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sees himself as a pioneer in terms of women’s rights in society.

In any case, the Spanish sports authority CSD has now also announced that it will take action against Rubiales.

CSD boss Víctor Francos said: “We will act, we have activated all mechanisms to take the appropriate action”.

Rubiales, meanwhile, declares himself a victim. “This is not about justice, but about a social execution,” said Rubiales.

The 46-year-old justified what was seen on TV screens worldwide. “There was no desire and no position of dominance, and everyone understands that,” Rubiales added. ‘The desire I could have had during this kiss was the same as I could have had if I had kissed one of my daughters,’ he explained, describing it as ‘a spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual kiss’.

The official had kissed the Spanish women’s soccer world champions player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth without being asked at the medal ceremony in Australia on Sunday. This had been met with sharp criticism and outrage, and the world governing body FIFA had initiated disciplinary proceedings.

“I sincerely apologize. I had lost control. The kiss was as if it were for one of my children,” Rubiales explained.

Jennifer Hermoso had said in a video shortly afterwards that she was uncomfortable with Rubiales’ behavior. “But what could I do?” she added. A storm of outrage broke out and many in Spain demanded Rubiales’ resignation. Several media outlets reported on Thursday that Rubiales would resign.

Immediately after the incident, the official had dismissed criticism of his behavior as “nonsense.” Rubiales later issued a half-hearted apology and, according to media reports, urged Hermoso to intercede on his behalf. He said he kissed the 33-year-old “spontaneously” and “without any ill intent or ill will.” The RFEF released a statement quoting Hermoso as saying that the kiss was mutual.