Spain women’s national team player Jennifer Hermoso has admitted to receiving threats to her life amid the kiss scandal with ousted ex-chief of Spanish football Luis Rubiales.
The world rallied around Jennifer Hermoso to bring Luis Rubiales to book after a footage of the latter kissing her during 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup went viral.
Luis Rubiales sparked a global outrage as he wrapped his arms around Hermoso and planted a wanton kiss on her lips while celebrating the players for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup triumph over England.
In protest, Spanish professional footballers and other Spanish football executives called for Luis Rubiales to honorably step down as Spanish Football Federation President.
The call fell on deaf ears as Luis Rubiales refused to step down, arguing he is wrongly targeted by false feminists. Rubiales argued Jennifer Hermoso consented to the kiss – a claim the Pachuca and former Barcelona forward disputed.
FIFA finally waded into the saga and provisionally suspended Rubiales as investigations into the incident took center stage. We reported earlier FIFA have slammed Luis Rubiales with a three-year ban following investigations into the kiss scandal.
While the spotlights have been on Rubiales, it appears Jennifer Hermoso was struggling to find her feet following the incident.
Speaking with GQ Magazine, the prolific forward revealed she has been struggling with her mental health and has received threats as well following the kiss scandal.
“These weeks have been very difficult,” Hermoso told GQ magazine in Spain.
“Having to tell it over and over again was hurting me a lot. But I know I had to let it go somehow.
“I continue working on it with the help of my psychologist, who I have been with for many years.
“For me, mental health is as important as daily training and the hours I have to sleep to be able to go out on the field. Thanks to her I feel strong and I’m not shattered or thinking about not wanting to play football anymore. I have not lost my enthusiasm.”
Hermoso added: “I’ve had to assume the consequences of an act that I did not provoke, that I had not chosen or premeditated.
“I have received threats, and that is something you never get used to.”
