Jennifer Hermoso Insists Luis Rubiales Kissed Her "Without Any Consent" As She And 80 Other Spain Players Go On Strike Until RFEF President Is Removed

Jennifer Hermoso has insisted that she did not consent to being kissed by Luis Rubiales. 81 Spain players are now on strike. Read Hermoso's statement in full.

Spain soccer star Jennifer Hermoso has insisted that she did not consent to being kissed by Luis Rubiales after last week's FIFA Women's World Cup final.

Rubiales, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), grabbed Hermoso's head and kissed her on the lips shortly before she received her gold medal at Sydney's Stadium Australia.

The incident sparked widespread criticism, while Rubiales was also accused of behaving inappropriately in a VIP area of the stadium where he was seen grabbing his crotch moments after Spain's 1-0 win over England.

In a desperate bid to protect Rubiales, false quotes attributed to Hermoso were published by the RFEF.

Hermoso had said of the kiss in an Instagram Live video on Sunday that she "didn't like it."

But the RFEF then quoted her just hours later as saying: "It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that winning a World Cup brings."

Rubiales spoke at an RFEF extraordinary general assembly on Friday.

It had been expected that Rubiales was going to resign but he instead made it clear that he will "fight until the end" against what he described as a "social assassination".

At Friday's general assembly, Rubiales claimed that he had asked for consent before kissing Hermoso and that she had said: "OK".

Hermoso explicitly denied this in her statement, which was shared via social media later on Friday.

Jennifer Hermoso published a 748-word statement on Friday :: IMAGO/Sports Press Photo/Daniela Porcelli

The 33-year-old former Barcelona player also claimed that she had been put under "continuous pressure" to provide a public comment that would "justify Mr. Luis Rubiales' actions".

Hermoso said towards the end of her statement that she will not play for Spain again "as long as the current leaders remain".

She was not alone in making this vow. Eighty other players have said that they will refuse to represent Spain unless the president is removed from his position.

Players union FUTPRO published a list of the 81 rebel players. It included the entire squad of 23 that won this summer's Women's World Cup.

🚨 Las jugadoras de la @SEFutbolFem, campeonas del mundo y otras futbolistas, en apoyo a @Jennihermoso , manifiestan su firme condena ante conductas que han atentado contra la dignidad de las mujeres.
El comunicado queda abierto a las futbolistas que se quieran adherir#seacabo pic.twitter.com/PW91SW9Ts0

— FUTPRO (@futpro_es) August 25, 2023

Jennifer Hermoso Statement In Full

"After achieving one of the most important objectives of my sports career and after a few days of reflection, I want to sincerely thank my teammates, fans, followers, media, and everyone who has made this dream come true; your work and unconditional support were a fundamental part of winning the World Cup.

"The situation shocked me given the celebrations that were taking place at the moment, and with the passage of time and after delving a little deeper into those initial feelings, I feel the need to report this incident because I believe that no person, in any work, sports, or social setting should be a victim of these types of non-consensual behaviors. I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part.

"I want to make it clear that at no time did the conversation to which Mr. Luis Rubiales refers to in his address take place, and, above all, was his kiss ever consensual. I want to reiterate as I did before that I did not like this incident.

"The situation shocked me given the celebrations that were taking place at the moment, and with the passage of time and after delving a little deeper into those initial feelings, I feel the need to report this incident because I believe that no person, in any work, sports, or social setting should be a victim of these types of non-consensual behaviors. I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part.

"Simply put, I was not respected.

"I was asked to make a joint statement to alleviate the pressure on the president, but at that moment all I had in mind was to enjoy the historic milestone achieved with my teammates. For this reason, I always conveyed to the RFEF and its various interlocutors, as well as to media and people I trust, that I would not make any individual or joint statements on this matter, as I understood that doing so would take even more prominence away from such a special moment for my teammates and me.

"Despite my decision, I must state that I have been under continuous pressure to make a statement that could justify Mr. Luis Rubiales' actions. Not only that, but in different ways and through different people, the RFEF has pressured my surroundings (family, friends, teammates, etc.) to give a testimony that had little or nothing to do with my feelings.

"It is not up to me to evaluate communication and integrity practices, but I am sure that as the World Champion, we as a team do not deserve such a manipulative, hostile, and controlling culture. These types of incidents add to a long list of situations that the players have been denouncing in recent years.

"This incident, one in which I have been involved, is the final straw and what everyone has been able to witness on live television during the celebration also comes with attitudes like the one we saw this morning and have been part of our team's daily life for years.

"For all these reasons, I want to reinforce the position I took from the beginning, 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. Under no circumstances can it be my responsibility to bear the consequences of conveying something I do not believe in, which is why I have refused the pressures received.

"I have ZERO TOLERANCE for these behaviors.

"I want to conclude by making it very clear that while it is I who is expressing these words, it is all the players from Spain and around the world who have given me the strength to come out with this statement. In the face of such a display of disrespect and inability to recognize one's own mistakes and take responsibility, I state here and now to everyone of my decision not to play for the National Team again while the current leaders remain.

"Thank you all for the messages of support and encouraging words received. I know I am not alone, and thanks to all of you, we will push forward more united than ever. I leave this matter in the hands of TMJ and FUTPRO, and the people I trust. They will continue working on the next necessary steps."