Jenni Hermoso labels Luis Rubiales kiss ‘sexist’ as Spain squad refuse to play
Jenni Hermoso has accused the Spanish Football Federation of a “manipulative, hostile and controlling culture” as the World Cup-winning squad refused to play while president Luis Rubiales remains in post. A total of 81 players signed a letter stating they will not accept national team call-ups while Rubiales refuses to resign after kissing Hermoso – who has stressed she did not consent – following the country’s Women’s World Cup final win over England. He claimed it was “spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual” but Hermoso, who previously suggested comments playing down the incident attributed to her by the federation were false, has hit back with an attack on the organisation as a whole. “I have to state that I have been under continuous pressure to come up with a statement that could justify the act of Mr. Luis Rubiales,” she said in a statement on Twitter. “Not only that, but in different ways and through different people, the RFEF has pressured those around me (family, friends, colleagues, etc.) to give testimony that had little or nothing to do with my feelings. “It is not up to me to evaluate communication and integrity practices, but I am sure that as the world champion national team we do not deserve such a manipulative, hostile and controlling culture. “This type of incident joins a long list of situations that we players have been denouncing in recent years, so this event, in which I have been involved, is just the straw that breaks the camel’s back and what everyone has been able to see. “But attitudes like this have been part of the day-to-day life of our team for years. “For all these reasons, I want to reinforce the position I took from the beginning, considering that I do not have to support the person who has committed this action against my will, without respecting me, at a historic moment for me and for women’s sport.” Hermoso said the incident had made her feel “vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out-of-place act without any consent on my part”, adding: “I have ZERO TOLERANCE for these behaviours.” The Spanish government will push for the suspension of Rubiales but the players – including all members of the victorious squad – have taken matters into their own hands by effectively going on strike while he remains in position. A joint statement released by players’ union Futpro said they “want to express their firm and resounding condemnation of behaviours that have violated the dignity of women”. “After everything that happened during the Women’s World Cup medal ceremony, we want to state that all the players who sign this letter will not return to a call for the national team if the current leaders continue,” it read. Spain’s next scheduled fixture is on September 22 against Sweden. On Thursday FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales, who also grabbed his crotch in celebration despite being just metres away from Spain’s Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter in the stadium VIP area. Rubiales apologised for his behaviour in the VIP area but insisted in his speech on Friday he had been the target of a “social assassination” and repeatedly and emphatically stated “I will not resign”, words that drew applause from the gathered delegates at an extraordinary general assembly of the Spanish federation. World players’ union FIFPRO said it had written to UEFA urging it to open disciplinary proceedings. “Any lack of action by authorities in addressing the conduct of Mr Rubiales would send an entirely unacceptable and damaging message to the football industry and wider society,” it said in a statement. European football’s governing body has yet to issue any comment on the Rubiales case. The players, however, have escalated things themselves. “From our union we want to emphasize that no woman should feel the need to respond to the forceful images that everyone has seen and of course, they should not be involved in non-consensual attitudes,” they added in their statement. “The players of the Spanish Soccer Team, current world champions, expect forceful answers from the public powers so that actions such as those contained do not go unpunished. “We want to end this statement by asking for real structural changes that help the national team to continue growing, in order to transfer this great success to later generations. “It fills us with sadness that such an unacceptable event is managing to tarnish the greatest sporting success of Spanish women’s football.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Keely Hodgkinson out for revenge in bid for 800m title at World Championships Spain’s world champions refuse to play until RFEF president Luis Rubiales leaves Fury fighting talk and remembering Stokes century – Friday’s sporting social
1970-01-01 08:00
Meet the cast of the new dark comedy 'Bottoms'
The new dark comedy "Bottoms" is getting a lot of buzz.
1970-01-01 08:00
Trey Lance to the Cowboys? NFL analyst floats surprise trade proposal
Trey Lance trade proposals are all over the place with one analyst floating the Cowboys as a possible destination for the 49ers outcast.
1970-01-01 08:00
Navy vs Notre Dame matchup history: Previous meetings, records
The Navy Midshipmen will take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Dublin over the weekend, as one of the biggest games of college football's Week 0 slate.
1970-01-01 08:00
Pilot killed in US military jet crash in San Diego
The Marine Corps has launched an investigation into the crash of the F/A-18 Hornet fighter plane.
1970-01-01 08:00
How All 32 NFL Teams Got Their Names
Here are the stories behind the nicknames of the NFL’s 32 teams—and what they were almost called.
1970-01-01 08:00
Chelsea vs Luton LIVE: Premier League teams news, line-ups and more as Ross Barkley starts
Chelsea take on Luton tonight hoping to bounce back from their defeat to West Ham in the Premier League last time out. Mauricio Pochettino’s side dominated possession at the London Stadium but an inspired performance from James Ward-Prowse helped the Hammers to a 3-1 win. That defeat continued a tricky start to the season for Chelsea who have also lost Reece James, newly installed as captain, to injury as well as midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka and winger Mykhailo Mudryk. Meanwhile, Luton had their fixture against Burnley postponed last weekend while Kenilworth Road - their home stadium - is brought up to Premier League standard. Luton were hammered 4-1 by Brighton in their opening fixture and a fortnight to resst could prove valuable to Rob Edwards’ team. The newly promoted side arrive at Stamford Bridge this evening hoping to cause a shock in and collect their first top-flight points of the season. Follow along as Chelsea host Luton and get all the latest football betting sites offers here: Read More Premier League clubs take summer spending to nearly £2billion with week to go Chelsea and Luton face a chance they can’t afford to miss Mauricio Pochettino confident of rapid Chelsea improvement after West Ham defeat
1970-01-01 08:00
Man on motorbike dies after NYPD officer throws picnic cooler at him, knocking him to the ground, New York AG says
A New York Police Department sergeant has been suspended without pay after he threw a picnic cooler at a man, fatally knocking him from his motorbike.
1970-01-01 08:00
Fed Latest: Goolsbee Says FOMC Is on a Path to a Soft Landing
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee said the Fed is part of the way down the
1970-01-01 08:00
Tottenham leading chase for Brennan Johnson as Jota also considered
Tottenham are leading the chase for Nottingham Forest's homegrown forward Brennan Johnson and also have interest in former Celtic star Jota.
1970-01-01 08:00
Roma officials fly to London for talks with Chelsea over Romelu Lukaku loan deal
Roma officials are attending Chelsea’s home match with Luton Town on Friday night, to discuss a prospective move for Romelu Lukaku. The talks will centre on whether it is a loan or permanent deal, with the Stamford Bridge club preferring the latter. If they do agree to a temporary move, Chelsea would want a significant loan fee. That is understood to be the main sticking point, as a temporary move currently looks likeliest. Lukaku himself is deliberating on the situation as he carefully considers the next step of his career, but it is understood he is leaning towards going to Rome. The Belgian already signalled his reluctance to return to Everton this week, as the Goodison Park club also broached the possibility of a loan move. Read More Chelsea transfer news: Balogun, Olise, Lukaku, Chalobah and more Football rumours: Manchester City turn attention to Palace’s Eberechi Eze Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea and Romelu Lukaku must share blame for standoff
1970-01-01 08:00
Cristian Romero reveals what Ange Postecoglou has changed at Tottenham
Cristian Romero explains how Ange Postecoglou has turned things around at Tottenham.
1970-01-01 08:00
