The Spanish player Jenni Hermoso again condemned this Friday the kiss of Luis Rubiales during the celebrations of the women’s soccer world title. In an individual statement, she again mentions that the act was not consensual and she accuses the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation of assault.
“I felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression, an impulsive, sexist, out of place act and without any kind of consent on my part. They just didn’t respect me,” says Jenni Hermoso.
The player says she feels “obliged to denounce that the words of Luis Rubiales when explaining the unfortunate incident are categorically false and are part of the manipulative culture that he himself generated.”
“The situation caused me a shock due to the context of the celebration and over time, after deepening those first feelings a little more, I feel the need to denounce this fact, since I believe that no person, in any field of work, sports or social should be a victim of this type of non-consensual behavior ”, he reflected.
Jenni Hermoso denounces that she was asked to “make a joint statement to relieve the pressure on the president.”
“At that moment, the only idea in my head was to enjoy the milestone achieved together with my teammates. For this reason, I always informed the RFEF and its different interlocutors, as well as the media and people I trusted, that I would not do it. make any type of individual or joint statement on this subject, since I understood that, if I did, it would take away even more prominence from such a special moment for me and my companions”, explains the athlete.
And the accusations go beyond the president of the federation: “Despite my decision, I must say that I have been under continuous pressure to present a statement that could justify the act of Mr. Luis Rubiales. Not only that, but also in different ways “. and through different people, the RFEF pressured my circle (family, friends, colleagues, etc.) to get a testimony that had little or nothing to do with my feelings”.
Thus, Jenni Hermoso criticizes the way in which the Royal Spanish Football Federation acted in the face of the entire situation.
“I am sure that as the World Champion Team we do not deserve such a manipulative, hostile and controlling culture. This type of incident adds to a long list of situations that we players have been denouncing in recent years, so this fact, in the that I was involved, is just the drop of water that makes the glass overflow and what everyone could see, but attitudes like this have been part of our team’s day-to-day life for years,” she laments.
Finally, the player calls for “zero tolerance” for these behaviors: “I do not have to support the person who committed this act against my will, without respecting me, at a historic moment for me and for women’s sports in this country. “
Read the full statement:
“After achieving one of the most desired successes of my sports career and after a few days of reflection, I want to wholeheartedly thank my teammates, fans, followers, the media and all those who made this dream come true; your work and The unconditional support was a fundamental part of winning the World Cup.
In reference to what happened today. While it is true that, for my part, I do not wish to interfere in the multiple judicial processes in progress, I feel compelled to denounce that the words of Mr. Luis Rubiales when explaining the unfortunate incident are categorically false and are part of the manipulative strategy. culture that he himself generated.
I clarify that the conversation to which Mr. Luis Rubiales was referring did not take place at any time and that, far from it, his kiss was not consented to. Likewise, I want to reiterate, as I did at the time, that this fact was not to my liking.
The situation caused me a shock due to the context of the celebration and with the passage of time, after deepening those first feelings a little more, I felt the need to denounce this fact, since I believe that no person, in any job, sport or social life should be victims of this type of non-consensual conduct.
I felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression, an impulsive, sexist, out of place act and without any kind of consent on my part.
I just wasn’t respected.
They asked me to make a joint statement to ease the pressure on the president, but at that moment in my head there was only the idea of enjoying the milestone achieved with my colleagues. For this reason, I have always informed the RFEF and its different interlocutors, as well as the media and people I trust, that I would not make any type of individual or joint statement on this matter, because I understand that, if I did, it would be necessary even more enhancement for such a special moment for me and my companions.
Despite my decision, I must say that I was under continuous pressure to present a statement that could justify the act of Mr. Luis Rubiales. Not only that, but also in different ways and through different people, the RFEF pressured my circle (family, friends, colleagues, etc.) to obtain testimony that had little or nothing to do with my feelings.
It is not for 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 adds to a long list of situations that we players have been denouncing in recent years, so this fact, in which I was involved, is just the drop of water that makes the glass overflow and that everyone could see, but attitudes. Like this, they 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 committed this act against my will, without respecting me, at a historic moment for me and for women’s sports in this country.
In no case can it be my responsibility to assume the consequences of transmitting something in which I do not believe, for which reason I denied the pressure received. ZERO TOLERANCE with these behaviors.
I want to end by clarifying that although I am the one expressing these words, it is all the players in Spain and the world who have given me the strength to make this announcement. Faced with such a lack of respect and inability to recognize one’s own mistakes and assume the consequences, I made the decision not to play with the national team again while the current coaches remain.
Thank you all for the messages of support and words of encouragement received. I know that I am not alone and thanks to all of you we are going to get more unid@s out of this situation. I leave this matter in the hands of the people I trust at TMJ and FUTPRO, and they will decide the next steps depending on recent events.
#It’s over
Jenny Beautiful”
Source: TSF
