The England Women’s football team have released a statement in support of their Spanish counterparts following the scandal surrounding Luis Rubiales.
Rubiales, the head of the Spanish football federation, has received widespread condemnation for kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips without consent following Spain’s World Cup victory over England.
He was expected to step down at an extraordinary general assembly called by the RFEF on Friday but instead claimed he was the victim of ‘social murder’ and ‘false feminism’ in an astonishing rant.
The 46-year-old added it was a ‘spontaneous’ and ‘consensual’ kiss that took place during the trophy presentation last Sunday, but on Friday evening Hermoso reiterated: ‘I want to clarify, that at no time did I consent to the kiss.
‘I don’t tolerate that my word is questioned, much less that words are invented that I haven’t said.’
56 players including Hermoso and her World Cup-winning teammates subsequently signed a joint statement demanding Rubiales be sacked, insisting they will not play for their country again unless he is removed from his position.
The statement has been widely supported, with each of the Lionesses sharing a joint statement of their own on social media.
pic.twitter.com/eeoh9MIOVx
‘Unacceptable actions allowed to happen by a sexist and patriarchal organisation,’ it read.
‘Abuse is abuse and we have all seen the truth.
‘The behaviour of those who think they are invincible must not be tolerated and people shouldn’t need convincing to take action against any form of harassment.
We all stand with you, Jenni Hermoso and all players of the Spanish team.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Source: Read Full Article
