“I clarify that at no time did the conversation to which Mr. Rubiales referred to take place and that, far from it, his kiss was consented to,” said the soccer player Jennifer Hermoso and collapsed all the defense that the president of the association had put forward this Friday. Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, when announcing that he would not resign after the scandal over the kiss on the mouth that he took from the player at the women’s World Cup award ceremony.
“The situation caused me a shock due to the context of celebration, and with the passage of time and after delving a little deeper into those first feelings, I feel the need to denounce this fact since I consider that no person, in any workplace, sports or social must be a victim of this type of non-consensual behavior,” continues the revealing statement from Hermoso, who until now had kept out of public statements.
“I felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression, an impulsive, sexist, out of place act and without any kind of consent on my part. I was simply not respected,” adds the Spanish number 10.
Hermoso’s statement also reveals the pressure that came down from the RFEF to condition his statements in favor of Rubiales.
“I was asked to make a joint statement to reduce the pressure on the president (…) At all times I informed the RFEF and its interlocutors that I would not make any type of individual or joint statement on this matter (…) Despite of my decision, I have to state that I have been under continuous pressure to come up with a statement that could justify Mr. Rubiales’ act Not only that, but in different ways and through different people, the RFEF has pressured to my environment (family, friends, colleagues) to give a testimony that has little or nothing to do with my feelings”.
Hermoso further frames the situation as part of a long history of “incidents.” “This type of incident joins a long list of situations that the players have been denouncing in recent years, so this fact, in which I have been involved, is just the straw that breaks the camel’s back and what all the world has been able to see, but attitudes like this have been part of the daily life of our team for years”.
Due to this series of situations denounced by Hermoso, he said that he is obliged to “reinforce the position” that he has adopted, “considering that I do not have to support the person who has committed this action against my will, without respecting me, at a historic moment for me and for women’s sports in this country.
“In no case, can it be my responsibility to assume the consequences of transmitting something in which I do not believe, which is why I have refused the pressure received. ZERO TOLERANCE with these behaviors.”
Hermoso closed his long letter making it clear that behind his words are all the Spanish and world soccer players, who he said “have given him the strength to come out with this statement.”
“Given such a show of disrespect and inability to recognize one’s own mistakes and assume the consequences, I have made the decision not to play for the National Team again while the current leaders continue,” he said, resigning from the national team until Rubiales leaves.
2023-08-25 20:32:33
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