BARCELONA, Spain (AP): Less than a week after winning the Women's World Cup, Spain's national team players announced Friday that they will not play any more games unless the president of the country's soccer federation steps down for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after their victory.
Luis Rubiales, who was also chastised for grabbing his crotch after Spain's 1-0 victory over England on Sunday, remained defiant despite immense pressure to resign. The kiss marred the title celebrations in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, and criticism has steadily mounted.
Several Spanish news media outlets reported on Thursday that Rubiales would step down. Instead, he said on Friday that he is the victim of a witch hunt by"false feminists." In his speech to the gathering, Rubiales said Hermoso"lifted me up" in a celebratory gesture and he asked her for"a little kiss?" and she"said yes."Tainted glory: Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso celebrates with Luis Rubiales after the match. — Reuters
She said that she did not consent to the kiss or try to pick up the president, and that there was no conversation like the one described by Rubiales. After a full day of accusations and counteraccusations between Hermoso and Rubiales, the federation issued a statement early Saturday saying that its president did not lie and that he and the organisation would take legal action against Hermoso and her union. The statement included photos that it said show Hermoso lifting Rubiales off the ground during the medals ceremony.
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