Eleven employees of the association resigned in a public letter It condemned the actions of Rubiales and the federation in response to midfielder Jenni Hermoso’s claims that Rubiales kissed her against her will during Sunday’s Spain World Cup awards ceremony. The letter also states that during Rubiales’ recent speech in self-defense, several female members of the technical staff were forced to stand in the front row to appear to support his claims.
This letter from staff came just minutes after the RFEF was published a long statement in defense of Rubiales before erasing it later on Saturday. In the statement, the RFEF denounced Hermoso as a liar and broadly accused Hermoso and her supporters of trying to “distort reality” by claiming that Rubiales kissed her without consent.
“We must determine that Ms. Jennifer Hermoso lies in every statement she makes against the President,” the original statement said.
Spain coach Jorge Vilda condemned Rubiales’ behavior in a statement on Saturday. vilda was seen applauding while Rubiales’ speech at an emergency meeting of the Spanish FA on Friday, where Rubiales insisted he would not resign.
“I deeply regret that Spanish women’s football’s victory was marred by the improper behavior of our current boss, Luis Rubiales, which he himself admitted,” Vilda said, according to Spanish sports magazine Relevo. “There is no doubt that it is unacceptable and does not reflect at all the principles and values that I defend in my life, in sport in general and in football in particular.”
The RFEF has threatened legal action over the allegations and has steadfastly backed Rubiales, who has refused to resign despite international outrage over the incident.
In addition to the ban, the FIFA decision bans Rubiales and the RFEF from contacting Hermoso. The governing body opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales on Thursday.
In a statement on Friday, Hermoso, the country’s all-time top scorer, said: “At no point did I consent to the kiss he gave me,” adding that she and her family were under pressure to make Rubiales public to support.
Dozens of Spanish players, including all 23 members of the World Cup squad, said they will refuse to play any more games if Rubiales remains in charge.
Also the president of the association was criticized for grabbing his crotch at the end of the World Cup final while Spain’s Queen Letizia and 16-year-old Princess Sofía stood nearby.
Rubiales told an emergency meeting of the Spanish FA on Friday that he would not be stepping down. He claimed he was being attacked by “fake feminists” and claimed the kiss was “spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual.” He also suggested that Hermoso had initiated the kiss by lifting him off the floor and agreed to the kiss when he asked her to.
“As the footage shows, I never agreed to the kiss he gave me and of course I never intended to lift the president in the air,” Hermoso replied in a statement released by players’ union Futpro. “I will not tolerate my word being distrusted, much less inventing words I never said.”
However, the RFEF offered Rubiales its support, saying in a statement: “The evidence is conclusive, Mr President did not lie.” The panel threatened legal action for “lying” against Rubiales and said players were “obliged” to play, if they were selected for the national team.
Spanish politicians, professional clubs and other figures from the football world have spoken out against Rubiales’ behavior, including members of the Spain national team in the men’s squad.
Borja Iglesias, Spain men’s national team forward, tweeted that he is “sad and disappointed” and that he will not return to the team “until things change”. Players from Spanish club Sevilla wore t-shirts with the words “Se acabó” ahead of Saturday’s game against Girona. The phrase, which translates to “It’s over,” is a reference to star midfielder Alexia Putellas’ tweet in response to Rubiales’ speech.
Luis de la Fuente, the coach of the Spain men’s national team seen next to Vilda applauded during Rubiales’ speech and also condemned the President’s behavior. say in a statement: “I would like to express my absolute distaste for any act of sexist violence. In such a situation there is no place for a lukewarm attitude.
“I unreservedly condemn the misguided and inappropriate behavior of the President of the RFEF during the above events. Luis Rubiales’ actions did not respect the minimum protocol that should be followed at these celebrations and are neither edifying nor appropriate for a person who represents all of Spanish football. He himself has publicly acknowledged the inappropriateness of his behavior. I hope that this unpleasant episode will come to an end as soon as possible, for the good of Spanish football, and that the competent bodies will take the appropriate decisions as soon as possible.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described Rubiales’ actions as “unacceptable” earlier this week and the incumbent second deputy prime minister, Yolanda Díaz tweeted: “The impunity for sexist acts is over.” Rubiales cannot continue in office.”
Víctor Francos, secretary of state for sport and chairman of Spain’s Supreme Council for Sport, said Friday the government intends to file a lawsuit against Rubiales for a “very serious offence”, according to Spanish El Mundo newspaper.
“I think we are ready for this to be the #MeToo of Spanish football and for this to be a change,” he said.
Spanish football club Real Madrid said in a statement on Friday that it supported Franco’s decision while FC Barcelona described Rubiales’ behavior was “completely inappropriate and unreasonable”. Xavi, Barcelona’s men’s coach and one of Spain’s most decorated players, too heavily weighted Saturday in support of Hermoso.
US player Alex Morgan said she was “disgusting” about the incident and tweeted their support for Hermoso and the Spanish players.
“Winning a World Cup should be one of the happiest moments in these players’ lives, but instead it is overshadowed by abuse, misogyny and the failure of the Spanish FA,” she wrote.
Beatriz Rios contributed to this report.
