In the kissing scandal, player Jenni Hermoso comes forward with a statement and explains that she never consented to the kiss. Association president Rubiales had described the kiss as “consensual”.

Professional footballer Jenni Hermoso speaks out and declares that the kiss by the president of the federation was in no way consensual. In the debate surrounding the disturbing scene at the medal ceremony in Sydney, numerous players, her club Real Madrid and Spain’s government have sided with Jenni Hermoso and against the president of the soccer federation, Luis Rubiales.

The scorer of the final, Olga Carmona, 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

Following the kissing scandal at the Women’s World Cup in Sydney, Spanish association president Luis Rubiales has refused to resign this Friday “I’m not resigning. I will fight to the end,” said the 46-year-old at an extraordinary general assembly of the Spanish RFEF on Friday. Rubiales received applause from many of the officials in the room during his speech.

Spain’s left-wing government wants to appeal to a sports tribunal so that the soccer boss loses his post. Apparently, Rubiales’ explanations have not convinced the cabinet in Madrid. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sees himself as a pioneer when it comes to women’s rights in society.

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

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

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

The 46-year-old justified what could be seen on TV screens around the world. “So there is no desire and no position of dominance, and everyone understands that,” Rubiales added. “The desire that I could have in that kiss was the same that I could have when I gave it to one of my daughters”, he explained, defining it as “a spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual kiss”.

The official had kissed player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth without being asked at the award ceremony for the Spanish women’s soccer world champions in Australia on Sunday. This was followed by harsh criticism and outrage, with the world governing body FIFA initiating disciplinary proceedings.

“I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I had lost control. The kiss was like for one of my children,” explained Rubiales.

Jennifer Hermoso said in a video shortly afterwards that Rubiales’ behavior had made her uncomfortable. “But what was I supposed to do?” she added. A storm of indignation broke out and many in Spain called for Rubiales to resign. Several media outlets unanimously reported on Thursday that Rubiales would resign.

Immediately after the incident, the official described the criticism of his behavior as “nonsense”. Rubiales later issued a half-hearted apology and, according to media reports, urged Hermoso to stand up for him. He had kissed the 33-year-old on the mouth “spontaneously” and “without any ill intent or ill will”, he said. The RFEF published a statement in which Hermoso was quoted. The kiss was consensual, it said.