In the case, which has already been dubbed the “#MeToo of Spanish football”, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) called the allegations made against its president Luis Rubiales after his forced kiss on player Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup final as a “lie” .
The panel also announced legal action to defend its leader, whose refusal to step down on Friday and his attacks on “fake feminism” sparked an avalanche of criticism in the sports and political worlds.
The association said it would “take legal action” to defend its president’s version.
“The RFEF and the President (Luis Rubiales) will prove any lie published by anyone on behalf of the player or, if so, by the player herself,” the panel said in a statement on Friday night.
Spain international Jenni Hermoso, 33, said Friday night she felt “vulnerable and a victim of aggression” when she was kissed by Luis Rubiales, 46, during Sunday’s World Cup trophy ceremony, after claiming that the kiss ” was not consensual”. .
A few hours earlier, Hermoso had assured in a first press release from her Futpro union that she “never consented to this kiss”, thus dismantling Luis Rubiales’ defence.
In its press release, the federation cites Futpro’s, in which the player reiterates: “There was no way I was trying to promote the president.”
The RFEF encloses four photos with its press release, which it claims show that “the President’s feet are allegedly lifted off the ground by the player’s action preceding the kiss.”
The federation also reacted to the 23 players of the national team, who announced on Friday that they refuse to play again in the selection under the federation’s current leadership.
In its press release, the RFEF recalls that “participation in the election is an obligation for all persons (members of the federation) when invited to do so by it”.
The boss of Spanish football, who has been in office since 2018, counterattacked on Friday and refused to resign. The kiss after the Aug. 20 finale, he said, was “mutual” and “consensual” and he was given permission to do so while slamming “false feminism.”
This affair, already dubbed the “#MeToo of Spanish football”, unleashed an avalanche of criticism and pressure on Luis Rubiales in the sports and political world.
Spanish Sport Minister Miquel Iceta said on Saturday that the government would ask the TAD (Administrative Court for Sport) to hold a session on Monday. “If the TAD accepts the government’s complaint, we will immediately suspend the functions of President of the Federation,” he warned in an interview with the daily newspaper El País on Saturday.
The minister also deplored “an episode that has given us the image of a macho Spain”, while the country is often portrayed as a leader in the fight against violence against women.
Many international athletes have denounced Mr Rubiales’ gesture, attitude and statements since the beginning of the affair.
On Saturday several players from the England national team, finalists against Spain last Sunday, denounced “the unacceptable actions of a sexist and patriarchal organisation”. An attack is an attack and we have all seen the truth!” reads a press release published on social media.
Spanish basketball legend Pau Gasol also expressed his “support” for Jenni Hermoso on the social network X (ex-Twitter).
Several clubs, players and coaches in the men’s league have also condemned the behavior of the head of Spanish football.
The affair is tarnishing the image of Spanish sport while the country, along with Portugal and Morocco, is a candidate to host the men’s World Cup in 2030, which is scheduled to be awarded late next year.