2023 Women’s World Cup winner, Jenni Hermoso, wants Spanish FA president, Luis Rubiales, punished for kissing her during the Spain World Cup victory celebrations.
Hermoso, in a statement made on Wednesday, announced that FUTPRO, the Spanish players’ union, will handle the case on her behalf.
She said: “My FUTPRO union, in coordination with my TMJ agency, are taking charge of defending my interests and being the interlocutors on this matter.”
Spanish FA boss, Rubiales, was caught kissing Hermoso on the lips as the Women’s World Cup winners received their medals following a 1-0 victory over England in Sunday’s final. The union believes Rubiales’ actions went against her rights and called upon the footballing powers above to take action against the RFEF chief.
“From our association we ask the Royal Spanish Football Federation to implement the necessary protocols, ensure the rights of our players are upheld and adopt exemplary measures,” the FUTPRO statement stated.
”It is essential that our team is represented by figures who project their values of equality and respect in all areas. It is necessary to continue advancing in the fight for equality, a fight that our players have led with determination, leading us to the position in that we find ourselves today,” she stated.
She added: “We also call on the Higher Sports Council [CSD] so that, within its powers, it actively supports and promotes prevention and intervention in the face of sexual harassment or abuse, machismo and sexism. We reject any attitude or conduct that violates the rights of soccer players.”
FIFPRO, the representative organisation for professional footballers, endorsed the statement from FUTPRO and added their own backing, saying: “We reiterate that it was deeply lamentable that such a special moment for the players of the Spain national team taking place before a global television audience should be stained by the inappropriate conduct of an individual in a role carrying so much responsibility.
“Uninitiated and uninvited physical approaches towards players are not appropriate or acceptable in any context, and especially not when they are put in a position of vulnerability by a person who holds a position of power over them in their workplace.”
The Royal Spanish Football Federation will hold a general assembly meeting on Friday to discuss Rubiales’ behaviour and possible punishments.
