- Spanish star Jenni Hermoso has discussed the ‘taboo’ of her sexuality growing up
- Hermoso said it was easier to come out in the women’s game than in the men’s game
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Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso has opened up about her sexuality and how it is ‘much easier’ to come out in the women’s game than in the men’s game.
Hermoso has been in the news over the past year after former Spanish president Luis Rubiales kissed her on the lips without her consent following their World Cup final victory over England in a scandal that rocked football.
The 33-year-old became somewhat of a celebrity in Spain after she came forward to denounce the kiss and help promote a ‘Me Too’ movement in the country, and now she has decided to speak out about her sexuality.
She said she never discussed the subject with her family growing up, but it was much easier to come out as a female footballer. However, she admitted that male footballers face a much bigger struggle.
“I never explicitly told my parents that I liked girls,” she said Spanish TV show Planeta Calleja. ‘It’s something that has always been taboo, but there was actually no need to talk about it openly: the people around me knew it. My parents weren’t stupid either.
Spanish football star Jenni Hermoso has spoken out about her sexuality and the ‘taboo’ of talking about it growing up
The 33-year-old opened up about her personal life after being involved in ‘kiss-gate’ when former Spanish president Luis Rubiales kissed her without her consent last summer
The incident after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the World Cup final turned the sport upside down
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‘I have always been open with my mother, but when I had difficulty with that, I turned to my Aunt Carol, who was my confidant.
‘In women’s football it is much easier to come out than in men’s football. There is a stereotypical image of a footballer with a wife and children.
‘There are a number of male footballers who have come out, but they have been met with a lot of hate. Male footballers don’t like to talk about it because they are treated differently.’
Discussing her love life, Hermoso – who is currently single – said she has now found “stability” in her life after previously letting her personal life get in the way of her on-court performances.
Hermoso said it was much easier for women to come out in football than for men and added that she had found “stability” in her life
“I’ve been in love, but not now,” she added. ‘It’s one of the best things I’ve discovered: how to live with myself.
‘My private life and my life as a footballer have always been closely linked. When I had problems, my football was a disaster. It can be intense, especially when my heart is broken. Now fortunately I have found stability.’
Hermoso’s candid conversations about her private life come after a whirlwind year in which she was thrust into the spotlight during ‘kiss-gate’.
On September 6, she filed a criminal complaint against Rubiales and two days later, prosecutors filed a lawsuit against him for assault and coercion.
Spanish footballer Hermoso leaves the High Court in Madrid after testifying about the ‘Kiss-gate’ scandal surrounding former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales
Earlier this month she appeared before a judge at the Madrid High Court to give her version of the events that followed Spain’s 1-0 win over England in Sydney in August.
Hermoso confirmed the same version of events she previously told prosecutors, stating that the kiss was “unexpected and not consensual at any time,” according to Marca.
As she left the court, Hermoso told the media, “Everything went well. I wanted to wish you a happy new year. Everything is in the hands of justice.
‘Thank you very much for the support you have given me and for the fact that many of you have handled things so well. I can appreciate.
“The process will take its course.”