The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has issued an extraordinary statement in support of embattled president Luis Rubiales – and has threatened legal action in his defence.
In the statement, the RFEF claims that Rubiales acted with “the utmost respect” and that “lies have been spread about him” from Jenni Hermoso’s camp.
Photos prior to his kiss on Hermoso’s mouth are reviewed in an attempt to absolve Rubiales of guilt and demonstrate her responsibility.
It comes after Hermoso wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that she “felt vulnerable and was the victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, misguided act without any consent on my part” and that a statement was released on her behalf by FUTRPO.
The statement read: “I want to make it clear that, as shown in the footage, at no point did I consent to the kiss he gave me and, of course, I made no attempt to educate the president in any way. I will not tolerate my word being questioned, let alone words made up that I did not say.”
A total of 56 players have signed the declaration, and all of them have refused to play for the national team until Rubiales is removed from office.
However, the RFEF affirms that ‘the facts disclosed by Mr. President are absolutely true’ and that he is ‘not lying’. They claim to have contacted Hermoso several times without success.
The Spanish Football Federation has released an extraordinary defense from Luis Rubiales, which attempts to explain Jenni Hermoso’s complicity in the moments leading up to the kiss.
Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation, kissed Hermoso on the mouth after the World Cup final
On Friday, Rubiales defiantly defended his position and refused to resign his post. FIFA has launched a disciplinary investigation and the Spanish government has launched legal proceedings to suspend the 46-year-old.
Here’s a rundown from the RFEF of several photos of the incident. It should be noted that none of the attached photos show the kiss itself, but only the moments leading up to it.
Photo 1
The RFEF claims that Rubiales’ arms in this photo are only loosely on Hermoso’s back, meaning he “couldn’t apply force,” and his heels are up.
The image above shows Rubiales smiling as he hugs Hermoso, with one hand on her head and the other on her back.
By way of explanation, the RFEF states: ‘Ms. Jennifer Hermoso grabs the RFEF President from behind with her arms, while Mr. President has his arms loose on the player’s upper back. Therefore no force could be applied.
“You can see how Mr. President has the heels of his feet up a little.”
Photo 2
For this photo, the RFEF insists Hermoso wraps her arms around the president and holds up his heels. Only one of Hermoso’s arms and one of Rubiales’ feet are visible
In the second image, Rubiales’ upper arm has moved lower past Hermoso’s head.
The RFEF explains: “Ma’am. Jennifer Hermoso has her arms around Mr. President’s back. Mr. President holds his arms on top of the player’s body.
“It has been verified that Mr. President already has much higher heels.”
Only one of Rubiales’ feet is visible in the photo.
Photo 3
The RFEF writes that ‘Mr. The President’s feet are clearly and distinctly lifted off the ground as a result of the power action performed by the player.
This third image, with Rubiales lifted off the ground, is where the RFEF’s statement becomes more vehement, attributing responsibility to Hermoso.
The RFEF states: ‘Mrs. Jennifer Hermoso continues to keep her arms in the same position as the President’s body, while the President has to move his arms closer to the player’s back as a result of lifting him off the ground and to maintain balance.
“The inclination of Ms. Jennifer Hermoso’s back that occurs when she performs a violent act is beyond question.
‘Mr. The President’s feet are clearly and distinctly lifted off the ground as a result of the power action performed by the player.”
Photo 4
The RFEF maintain their position in the last photo, where Rubiales is still being lifted off the ground
For this last photo, the RFEF explains, “Mrs. Jennifer Hermoso keeps her arms in the same position as the president’s body, while the president has to keep holding the players to keep from falling and it’s clear that the curvature of the player’s body matches Mr. Chairman, you step up.
“Mr. President’s feet apparently lift off the floor as a result of the player’s action.
After analyzing the photos, the RFEF concludes: ‘The evidence is compelling. Mr. President did not lie.
“The RFEF and Mr. President will demonstrate any of the lies being spread by anyone on behalf of the player or, as appropriate, by the player himself.”
While you might conclude from the photos that Hermoso is lifting Rubiales — an action the FUTRPO statement denies — they don’t indicate any consent for a kiss.
The statement from the RFEF ends: ‘The RFEF and the President, given the seriousness of the contents of the Futpro Union press release, will take appropriate legal action.
“The RFEF regrets that after such an extraordinary sporting success as the World Cup, this cannot be celebrated as the situation and success deserve, for reasons that are completely non-sporting.
In any case, and how could it be otherwise, the RFEF respects as it has always respected the decisions of the players who want to participate or not with the Spanish team in international competitions, although it stipulates that participation in the selection is prohibited is. an obligation for all federated states if they are called upon to do so.’