Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso has called for “exemplary measures” to be taken against the Spanish FA president who kissed her on the lips after the team’s 1-0 victory over England.
The incident — which happened as the players were being presented with their gold medals on Sunday — sparked outrage with fellow footballers and Spain’s prime minister condemning Luis Rubiales. TV footage also appeared to show him grabbing his genitals with both hands to celebrate Spain’s victory, while standing next to Spain’s Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter Sofia.
Hermoso said: “My union Futpro, in coordination with my agency TMJ, are taking care of defending my interests and have taken over as my interlocutors on this matter.
“We are working to ensure that acts such as those we have seen never go unpunished, that they are sanctioned and that the exemplary measures are adopted to protect women footballers from actions that we believe are unacceptable.”
Earlier this week, a former colleague of Rubiales, Tamara Ramos, accused him of making obscene comments to her when they worked together at the Spanish footballers’ association, including asking what colour her underwear was.
The allegations have been strongly denied by the Spanish football federation. The Spanish FA chief was also seen lifting and carrying winger Athenea del Castillo on his shoulders after the final, increasing scrutiny over his attitude to the women’s national team stars.
Futpro are due to meet Spain’s deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz to discuss what action can be taken while the country’s women’s football league, Liga F, called for Rubiales to be dismissed and said it had lodged a complaint over his “very serious actions and behaviour”.
It said: “One of the greatest feats in the history of Spanish sport has been tainted by the embarrassing behaviour of the highest representative of Spanish football who, once again, and guided by his continuous and habitual desire for leadership, has revealed to not be up to the position he occupies.
“A boss grabbing his employee by the head and kissing her on the mouth simply cannot be tolerated.
“It’s not just about the kiss. Celebrating the triumph on the presidential balcony while holding his genitals next to the queen is unacceptable and disgusting... it will forever be linked to our national women’s team.”
Rubiales, who initially called his critics “idiots”, issued a video apology on Monday which Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez described as “insufficient”.
US player Megan Rapinoe also criticised Rubiales for celebrating by grabbing his crotch.
