Luis Rubiales: Spanish FA threaten authorized motion as they accuse Jenni Hermoso of ‘lies’ over World Cup kiss – as Sam Kerr breaks her silence on the controversy

The embattled Spanish FA (RFEF) has threatened authorized motion after overtly accusing Jenni Hermoso of ‘lies’ following her insistence that she didn’t consent to being kissed by president Luis Rubiales.

In a rare assertion late on Friday evening, the crisis-ridden organisation continued their staunch backing of Rubiales after he kissed Hermoso on the mouth following Spain’s World Cup last victory over England on Sunday.

It got here as Matildas stars Sam Kerr vice captain Steph Catley and defender Alanna Kennedy posted or reshared messages of help for Hermoso on-line. They have been joined by England’s Lionesses, who issued a press release of solidarity late on Friday.

Hermoso, 33, mentioned by way of the Spanish gamers’ union FUTPRO that she ‘felt susceptible and a sufferer of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act with none consent on my half’. The assertion was signed by 56 gamers, who’ve refused to play till Rubiales is sacked.

It got here after Rubiales had claimed he requested permission to kiss Hermoso, who was mentioned to have responded to say he might give her ‘somewhat peck’.

‘I need to make clear that, as seen within the photos, at no time did I consent to the kiss he gave me and naturally in no case did I search to lift the president. I don’t tolerate that my phrase is questioned, a lot much less that phrases are invented that I’ve not mentioned,’ Hermoso mentioned.

Sam Kerr shared this message of solidarity with the Spanish gamers, becoming a member of different Matildas stars

The Spanish FA has launched a rare defence of Luis Rubiales following Jenni Hermoso’s assertion on Friday

Rubiales, president of the Spanish FA, kissed Hermoso on the mouth after the World Cup last

Jenni Hermoso launched a prolonged assertion on social media in response to the incident

In response, the RFEF claimed Rubiales – who dramatically refused to resign from his place on Friday – acted with ‘utmost respect’ and says that ‘lies have been unfold about him’ from Hermoso’s camp.

The Spanish FA mentioned the organisation and Rubiales ‘will show every of the lies which might be unfold both by somebody on behalf of the participant or, if relevant, by the participant herself’.

‘The RFEF and the President, given the seriousness of the content material of the press launch from the Futpro union, will provoke the corresponding authorized actions,’ they added. 

The RFEF claims the ‘proof’ was ‘conclusive’ that Rubiales, 46, had ‘not lied’. Within the assertion, they included a photo-by-photo rundown of the kiss incident in a determined try to again up Rubiales’ claims. 

In a press release on Friday, Hermoso mentioned: ‘I really feel obliged to report that Mr Luis Rubiales’ phrases explaining the unlucky incident are categorically false and a part of the manipulative tradition that he himself has generated.

‘I need to make it clear that at no time did the dialog wo which Mr Luis Rubiales refers to in his deal with happen, and, above all, was his kiss ever consensual. 

‘I need to reiterate as I did earlier than that I didn’t like this incident.

‘The state of affairs shocked me given the celebrations that have been happening in the mean time, and with the passage of time and after delving somewhat deeper into these preliminary emotions, I really feel the necessity to report this incident as a result of I imagine that no particular person, in any work, sports activities or social setting needs to be a sufferer of all these non-consensual behaviours. 

‘I felt susceptible and a sufferer of an impulse-driven, sexist, misplaced act with none consent on my half. 

‘Merely put, I used to be not revered.’

She went on to accuse the Spanish FA of placing her below ‘steady stress’ to ‘make a joint assertion to alleviate the stress on the president’ as outrage in regards to the kiss grew.

Rubiales blew kisses to the viewers after insisting he wouldn’t step down from his place

England’s Lionesses condemned the ‘unacceptable actions’ of Rubiales and referred to as the Spanish FA ‘sexist and patriarchal’ 

Hermoso additionally claimed her buddies, household and team-mates have additionally been pressured, with team-mates additionally requested by the RFEF to make statements in regards to the incident. 

Rubiales claimed the kiss was ‘consensual’ in a speech on Friday. He mentioned: ‘It was a spontaneous kiss. Mutual, euphoric and consensual. That is the important thing. A consensual ‘peck’ is sufficient to get me out of right here?

‘Jenni was the one who lifted me up. I instructed her to ‘neglect in regards to the penalty [that Mary Earps saved]’ and I mentioned to her ‘somewhat peck?’ and he or she mentioned ‘OK’.’

Hermoso mentioned this declare was ‘categorically false and a part of the manipulative tradition that he has generated.’

She continued: ‘I’m certain that because the World Champions, we as a group don’t deserve such a manipulative, hostile, and controlling tradition. 

‘All these incidents add to a protracted listing of conditions that the gamers have been denouncing lately. 

‘This incident, one by which I’ve been concerned, is the ultimate straw and what everybody has been in a position to witness on reside tv throughout the celebration additionally comes with attitudes just like the one we noticed the morning and have been a part of our group’s every day life for years.’

On Friday, Rubiales launched a shocking tirade as he blamed ‘false feminism’ for a ‘social homicide’ towards him in a speech at a gathering the place he was anticipated to step down.

Rubiales refused to stop as president throughout the Spanish FA’s extraordinary assembly, regardless of the worldwide backlash at his actions within the speedy aftermath of Spain’s 1-0 conquer England.

His defiance sparked a livid response from members of the Spanish girls’s group, in addition to present and former gamers on the boys’s nationwide facet.

England’s Lionesses additionally released a statement condemning Rubiales, saying: ‘Unacceptable actions allowed to occur by a sexist and patriarchal organisation. 

‘Abuse is abuse and we now have all seen the reality. The behaviour of those that suppose they’re invincible should not be tolerated and other people should not take any convincing to take motion towards any type of harassment.

‘We stand with you, Jenni Hermoso.’ 

Australia’s captain Kerr shared a submit by Spain star Mapi León who described the incident as unacceptable. 

Alexis Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, and World Cup-winning team-mates Cata Coll, Aitana Bonmati and Irene Paredes have all spoken out publicly in defence of Hermoso. 

Cata Coll, Spain’s goalkeeper within the last, wrote: ‘What a pity it provides me that 23 soccer gamers should not the protagonists… it is over! With you to demise Jenni Hermoso’. 

Their fellow Spanish participant, Patricia Guijarro, who was one in all 15 gamers to voice opposition to go coach Jorge Vilda final yr and was not picked for the World Cup, tweeted: ‘It is over. With you @jennihermoso. Unlucky to succeed in this level to imagine that the complaints from months in the past have been actual.’

Barcelona and Norway participant Caroline Hansen mentioned: ‘@jennihermoso with you! That is all lies. All of us see what actually occurred’.

Swiss star and Barcelona participant Ana-Maria Crnogorčević took a extra vehement method: ‘I am freaking out.. it is over. F*** this bulls**t, f**okay all this f**king lies. That is insane… With you Jenni all the time.’

Rubiales sparked extra outrage after footage emerged of him grabbing his crotch whereas celebrating Spain’s win within the neighborhood of Spanish Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter

Rubiales additionally carried Spanish participant Athenea del Castillo Beivide  throughout the celebrations

Rubiales (proper) pictured with Spain’s Queen Letizia and FIFA president Gianni Infantino after their 1-0 win over England in final Sunday’s last

Males’s nationwide group striker Borja Iglesias has additionally quit playing for his country in protest whereas Rubiales stays in submit. 

The 30-year-old Actual Betis full-back, who has been capped twice by Spain, mentioned: ‘Sporting the Spanish Nationwide Crew shirt is likely one of the biggest issues that has occurred to me in my profession. 

‘I do not know if sooner or later I will probably be an possibility once more, however I’ve made the choice to not return to the Nationwide Crew till issues change and one of these act doesn’t go unpunished.’

FIFA have opened an investigation into Rubiales’ conduct. In addition to the kiss, the Spanish FA chief appeared to seize his crotch whereas close to to the Queen of Spain and her under-age daughter.

Rubiales is a vice-president of UEFA, a place that instructions a £214,000-per-year wage. He stays within the position and will maintain it even when he’s pressured out as head of the Spanish FA.

UEFA have up to now refused to touch upon the actions of Rubiales. 

THE SPANISH FA’S ATTEMPT TO BLAME HERMOSO FOR ‘KISS-GATE’

{Photograph} 1

The RFEF argue that Rubiales’ arms are solely loosely on Hermoso’s again on this photograph, which means he might ‘exert no power’, and that his heels are raised

 The above picture reveals Rubiales smiling as he embraces Hermoso, with one hand on high of her head and the opposite on her again. 

In clarification, the RFEF states: ‘Ms. Jennifer Hermoso, along with her arms, grabs the RFEF President from behind, whereas Mr. President has his arms unfastened on the higher a part of the participant’s again. Subsequently, no power might exert.

‘You possibly can see how Mr. President has the heels of his toes raised barely.’ 

 {Photograph} 2

Right here, the RFEF maintains that Hermoso retains her arms across the president and that his heels are raised. Solely one in all Hermoso’s arms and one in all Rubiales’ toes are seen

 Within the second picture, Rubiales’ higher arm has moved decrease down Hermoso’s head.

The RFEF explains: ‘Ms. Jennifer Hermoso retains her arms round Mr. President’s again. Mr. President retains his arms on high of the participant’s physique.

‘It’s verified how Mr. President already has a lot greater heels.’

Solely one in all Rubiales’ toes is seen within the photograph.

 {Photograph} 3

The RFEF writes that ‘Mr. President’s toes are clearly and manifestly lifted off the bottom on account of the motion of power carried out by the participant’

 This third picture, with Rubiales lifted off the bottom, is the place the RFEF’s assertion ramps up in vehemence and attributes duty to Hermoso.

The RFEF states: ‘Mrs. Jennifer Hermoso continues to maintain her arms in the identical place because the president’s physique whereas the president should deliver his arms nearer to the participant’s again on account of having lifted him off the bottom and to take care of stability.

‘The inclination of the again of Mrs. Jennifer Hermoso that happens when she is performing an motion of power is indeniable.

‘Mr. President’s toes are clearly and manifestly lifted off the bottom on account of the motion of power carried out by the participant.’

 {Photograph} 4

The RFEF maintains its stance within the last photograph, the place Rubiales remains to be lifted off the bottom

For this last photograph supplied, the RFEF explains: ‘Mrs. Jennifer Hermoso continues to maintain her arms in the identical place because the president’s physique whereas the president should proceed to carry on to the gamers in order to not fall and it’s evident that the arching of the participant’s physique corresponds to the lifting power of Mr. President you’re performing.

‘The toes of Mr. President are ostensibly raised off the bottom on account of the participant’s motion.