Following the kissing scandal which has enveloped the media space after Spain’s World Cup triumph, the victorious squad have demanded that the Spanish FA president resigns from his post.
Luis Rubiales has been the central recipient of fiery criticisms after he kissed Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso while she was at the podium to receive her winning medal.
Hermoso is amongst the 81 footballers who have bluntly expressed their refusal to play for Spain until Rubiales is removed from his duties.
This is coming to the fore after Rubiales refused to resign after kissing star attacker Jennifer Hermoso following the FIFA Women’s World Cup final.
It appears like Luis Rubiales has bitten more than he can chew, as FIFA have also started a disciplinary meeting into the issue on Thursday, August 25, 2023.
The 46-year-old was also seen grabbing his crotch as he celebrated Spain’s World Cup triumph after the final whistle.
Initially, reporters were told that Luis Rubiales would be announcing his resignation at a press conference on Friday, August 25, 2023. But he ended up getting a round of applause on the said date from a general assembly organised by Spain’s FA when he declared that he wouldn’t resign over a kiss.
Luis Rubiales suffer more backlash for kissing Jennifer Hermoso
The unwavering desire of the Spain’s FA president to remain as La Roja’s FA boss has also resulted in some backlash.
Real Betis and Spain’s forward Borja Iglesias has also backed out of the men’s national team until Rubiales gets his marching orders.
During the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) extraordinary general assembly held on Friday, August 25, 2023, Rubiales was expected to announce his resignation.
However, he instead started to explain the reason for the act, expressing that it was a “spontaneous and consensual kiss”.
Luis Rubiales said that he is not deserving of this sabotage, as it was only a “consensual peck”.
The footage showed Rubiales kissing Jennifer Hermoso on the lips, but it appears the Spanish FA boss is probably in a confused state.
He said: “It was a spontaneous kiss. Mutual, euphoric and consensual. That’s the key. A consensual ‘peck’ is enough to get me out of here?”
Jennifer Hermoso’s statement
Jennifer Hermoso has also sent out a statement following the incident, and she denied ever consenting to the kiss.
In the lengthy statement released by the players’ union of FIFpro, Hermoso also tagged Rubiales’ words to be untrue.
She also added that the former Levante striker has generated a “manipulative culture” that is currently roaming like wildfire in Spain.
An excerpt from the statement released by Hermoso reads: “Although it is true that for my part I do not want to interfere with the multiple legal processes in progress, I feel compelled to denounce that the words of Mr Luis Rubiales explaining the unfortunate accident are categorically false and part of the manipulative culture that he himself has generated.”
Concerning consenting to the kiss, Jennifer Hermoso said: “I clarify that at no time did the conversation to which Mr Luis Rubiales referred to take place and that, far from it, his kiss was consented.”
Finalist at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, England, have extended their backing to Jennifer Hermoso.
Excerpts from a statement reads: “The behavior 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.”
Hermoso scored 3 goals and provided 2 assists in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, helping Spain win the tournament for the first time in the country’s history.
The Spanish footballer joined Mexican side Pachuca on June 21, 2023, after leaving Barcelona.
