Supporters of Jenni Hermoso line the streets of Madrid to protest against Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales after the kiss-gate scandal during the World Cup
- Protesters line the streets of Madrid to show support for Jenni Hermoso
- Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Plaza Callao in the Spanish capital
- They held signs and chanted in support of Hermoso and condemned Rubiales
Jennifer Hermoso’s supporters lined the streets of Madrid to show their support for the Spanish football star and protest against Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales following the World Cup kiss-gate scandal.
Hundreds of people gathered in Plaza Callao in the Spanish capital with signs and flags declaring their support for Hermoso.
Many of the signs also referenced the Spanish phrase “Seacabo,” which translates to “It’s over” in English. Other signs read: “Rubiales and macho mafia out.”
The protests come after Rubiales kissed the striker on the lips at the awards ceremony at the Women’s World Cup final after Spain defeated England to win the tournament.
According to crisis 24Protests by women’s rights groups are expected to take place in September to “demand Rubiales’ resignation.”
Rubiales refused to resign after sparking outrage over the incident, but was provisionally suspended from all football-related activity for at least 90 days by FIFA’s disciplinary committee last week.
Several feminist groups attended the demonstration in support of Jennifer Hermoso
Footage also emerged online of the Spaniard clutching his crotch while standing close to Queen Letizia of Spain.
Spanish prosecutors today opened a preliminary sexual abuse investigation into Rubiales.
Hermoso previously claimed she did not consent to the kiss, with several members of the women’s national team saying they would refuse to play if Rubiales was not fired.
“I want to make it clear that at no point did I consent to the kiss,” Hermoso said. “I wouldn’t tolerate my word being questioned, let alone words being made up that I didn’t say.”
There have been widespread calls from the football community to sack Rubiales, with Spanish women’s players Alexis Putellas and Aitana Bonmati taking to Twitter to speak out on the matter.
Putellas tweeted: “This is unacceptable. It is over. With your partner @jennihermoso.’
Bonmati wrote: ‘There are boundaries that cannot be crossed and we cannot tolerate that. We stand with your partner.”
Earlier today, Rubiales’ mother allegedly locked herself in a church and went on a hunger strike. She demanded an end to the “inhumane witch hunt for her son.”
Mail Sport also understands that the Spanish Football Federation would hold an emergency meeting on Monday
Jenni Hermoso released a lengthy statement on social media in response to Rubiales’ claims, which she concluded with the hashtag SeAcabo
Large numbers of protesters lined the streets of the Spanish capital to show their support for Jennifer Hermoso
Protesters held placards and chanted in Madrid’s Plaza Callao. It comes after Hermoso was kissed on the lips by Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales
Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation, kissed Hermoso on the mouth after the World Cup final
Many held signs in support of the World Cup winner, who said she ‘did not agree’ with Rubiales’ actions
Many of the signs also referenced the words ‘Seacabo’, which translated means ‘It’s over’.
The marches continued through the capital with some signs reading ‘Rubiales and macho mafia out’.
Sevilla stars showed their support for Jennifer Hermoso ahead of their LaLiga match against Girnoa on Saturday.
During the warm-up and pre-match handshakes, Sevilla wore jerseys with the words ‘#SeAcabo’.
The Lionesses have also rallied behind Spain’s women’s football team, stating that they were also ‘with Hermoso’s side’.
“Unacceptable actions allowed by a sexist and patriarchal organization.” Read the statement of the beaten finalist. “Abuse is abuse and we have all seen the truth.
“The behavior of those who believe they are invincible should not be tolerated and people should not be persuaded to take action against any form of harassment.
“We’ve got your back, Jenni Hermoso.”
More to follow…