Players of the women’s team from the Mexican city of Pachuca pose with a poster proclaiming “We are with you, Jenni”, August 25, 2023. CHRISTIAN CHAVEZ / AP
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has called ” lies “ the charges brought against its president, Luis Rubiales, for his surprise imposed kiss on the player Jennifer Hermoso, after the World Cup final.
“The RFEF and the President [Rubiales] will prove every lie posted by anyone on behalf of the player, or, if so, by the player herself.”said the instance in a press release published on the night of Friday to Saturday, while Jennifer Hermoso said to herself “victim of assault” in a press release.
“I never consented to this kiss [que Luis Rubiales] gave me and I in no way sought to approach the President. I do not tolerate anyone questioning my word and even less inventing words that I did not say.assured Ms. Hermoso in a press release published on his social networksthus contradicting the defense of Mr. Rubiales. “I felt vulnerable and victim of an aggression, an impulsive and sexist act, inappropriate and without any consent on my part”insisted the Spanish international.
Her teammates announced that they would refuse to play again for the selection under the current management of the federation. “After everything that happened during the medal ceremony of the Women’s World Cup, all the players who signed this text will not honor a next summons if the current leaders are maintained”wrote the twenty-three world champions in a press release issued by the Futpro union.
“Rubiales cannot stay in his post”
In Spain, kissing someone without their consent is considered an offense under the law on sexual assault, so the case could go to court: Victor Francos, the president of the Higher Sports Council (CSD), an organization government, promised that it would take action if the RFEF did not.
He assured that he would take the case to the Administrative Court for Sport, a Spanish court. The initiative was welcomed by Irene MonteroMinister for Equality, who writes on X (formerly Twitter): « Face [à l’impunité de M. Rubiales], the prosecution and the CSD act to protect the player, to say no to machismo and to guarantee the right to sexual freedom. »
In addition, the Spanish public prosecutor’s office reported to Agence France-Presse that it had received four complaints against Mr. Rubiales, but as these were not filed by the victims themselves there is a doubt concerning their admissibility.
Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers Forced kiss: in Spain, the president of the football federation has become the symbol of outdated machismo
FIFA disciplinary procedure
On August 21, Mr. Rubiales brushed aside the controversy, saying that those who criticized him were “cons”. A few hours later he apologizedexplaining that it was a gesture “without any bad intention”by adding : “If people have been injured, I must apologize, there is nothing else to do. »
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The case went up to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), which ended up launching disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Rubiales. In the meantime, other images have come to aggravate the case of the president of the RFEF, in particular those where we see him, again on Sunday, on the balcony of honor of the stadium, grab his genitals to celebrate the team’s victory, a gesture for which he asked forgiveness.
The forced kiss of the president of the Federation is part of a heavy context within the Spanish selection. Players have been denouncing the methods judged for months « dictatorial » of the coach, Jorge Vilda, who benefited from the unwavering support of Mr. Rubiales. The president of the federation was also accused of having organized orgies with money from the RFEF last September.
2023-08-26 10:17:28
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