Spain forward, Jennifer Hermoso has slammed the ‘manipulative, hostile and controlling culture’ of Spanish FA under President, Luis Rubiales.
Over the last year, Spain’s international players have been controversially divided about internal issues within the women’s national team, which saw 15 players opt to withdraw their availability for much of last season.
Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey however did u-turns in order to participate at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which Spain triumphed in courtesy of Olga Carmona’s winner to beat England in a tense final.
Their success however has been overshadowed by Rubiales’ actions during the trophy presentation, in which he kissed Hermoso inappropiately without her consent in front of a worldwide audience.
Rubiales was also caught grabbing his crotch within sight of Spain’s Queen Letizia and her 16 year-old daughter, with both incidents prompting Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez to call for him to resign ahead of a RFEF summit held this morning.
Rubiales however refused to stand down from his position and instead argued that the incident was simply “spontaneous” between him and Hermoso, as he added: “Mutual, euphoric and consensual. That’s the key. A consensual ‘peck’ is enough to get me out of here?”
The 46 year-old went on to address manager, Jorge Vilda and the controversy surrounding his management, as he continued: “Jorge Vilda, they wanted to do to you the same thing that they are doing to me now. We’ve been through a lot, but we’ve been together.”
Ex Manchester United Men’s goalkeeper and Spain international, David De Gea meanwhile expressed anger at Rubiales’ comments by posting on X that his ‘ears are bleeding.’
Me sangran los oídos ??
— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) August 25, 2023
Spain’s Government consequently decided to commence legal proceedings to suspend him from his role, whilst FIFA have also launched disciplinary action against Rubiales.
His response subsequently led Hermoso to issue her own statement on X, in which she thanked players and supporters for “unconditional support” throughout the tournament but iterated that Rubiales’ remarks are “categorically false” and part of his “manipulative culture”.
Official Announcement. August 25th,2023. pic.twitter.com/lQb18IGsk2
— Jenn1 Hermos0 (@Jennihermoso) August 25, 2023
Hermoso went on to describe her feelings in that specific moment with Rubiales as she said: “I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part.”
She went on to slam the RFEF for putting her ‘under continuous pressure” to “justify” Rubiales’ actions, even through pressurizing her family and teammates to provide a testimony irrespective of her feelings.
Acknowledging the controversy surrounding the team across the past 12 months amidst further issues within previous years, Hermoso iterated that “we as a team do not deserve such a manipulative, hostile, controlling culture.”
Hermoso concluded her statement by publicising that she holds “zero tolerance” and will not represent Spain unless the current regime resign, which was followed suit by her fellow teammates.
Borja Iglesias showed sympathy for Hermoso by withdrawing his availability for Spain’s upcoming Men’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Hermoso’s statement also attracted worldwide support from international players with England’s Beth Mead describing Rubiales and the RFEF as ‘laughable’ and ‘unacceptable’.
The game, the Spanish players deserve more, no players should have to endure this. It’s unacceptable, and also laughable that these men still are allowed so much power. @Jennihermoso we are all with you ❤️
— Beth Mead MBE (@bmeado9) August 25, 2023
England also issued an united statement led by captain, Leah Williamson expressing their support for Hermoso and her teammates and slammed RFEF as ‘a sexist and patriarchal organisation.’
— Leah Williamson (@leahcwilliamson) August 25, 2023
Hermoso’s ex Barcelona teammate, Sandra Panos who was amongst those to withdraw their availability last summer, posted that their complaints ‘had a reason’ and Rubiales’ reign is surely ‘over’ after what she described as an ‘unacceptable’ speech.
Se acabó. Inaceptable lo que ha sucedido esta mañana. Lamentable llegar a esto para creer que las quejas de los últimos meses tenían un por qué. Por todas, estamos contigo @Jennihermoso
— Sandra Paños (@sandra_panos1) August 25, 2023
Several other players across the world past and present from Rachel Furness to Erin Cuthbert and Eugenie Le Sommer to Anita Asante and Alex Scott also pledged their support to Hermoso and the Spain Women’s National Team.
Winning a World Cup should be the best moment in these players lives, yet it has been overshadowed by the actions of those above. No players should ever have to endure this. Enough!@Jennihermoso and all the Spanish players, we are all with you ❤️ https://t.co/JtrQSkNKf7
— Rachel Furness (@RachelFurness10) August 25, 2023
We, as players of SWNT, stand with you @JenniHermoso and all of the Spanish National Team players. https://t.co/Nb2TP66y0f
— Erin Cuthbert (@erincuthbert_) August 25, 2023
This is not acceptable !
Estoy contigo @Jennihermoso— Eugénie Le Sommer (@ELS_9_FRANCE) August 25, 2023
Winning a World Cup should be the best moment in these players lives, yet it has been overshadowed by the actions of those above. No players should ever have to endure this. Enough!@Jennihermoso and all the Spanish players, we are all with you ❤️
— Simone Magill (@SimoneMagill) August 25, 2023
Inaceptable la indecencia de este tipo. Todos vimos lo que pasó! Estamos contigo @Jennihermoso esto no puede quedar así! ? #ContigoJenni
— Christiane Endler (@TIANEendler) August 25, 2023
WE STAND WITH YOU and the rest of your teammates. https://t.co/68HF1fnz0w
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) August 25, 2023
For too long we have had to endure continued abuse of power from those who control our game.
Enough is enough. @Jennihermoso I am with you ✊?
— Anita Asante (@NicenNeetz) August 25, 2023
Women’s sport has never had the luxury of just ‘talking about the sport’ it’s always had to be more and here we are again!
World champions/history made & instead of being able to celebrate a dream come true it’s about the fight for basic respect!@Jennihermoso I am with you ?— Alex Scott MBE (@AlexScott) August 25, 2023
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