Jenni Hermoso hit the table twice. Just a few hours apart, the Spanish soccer player decided to speak publicly for the first time since the kiss that Luis Rubiales gave her; and her representative agency TJM has issued a statement asking for “protection” for her in the case opened before the National Court alleging sexual assault and coercion. The athlete’s defense took this initiative after the player’s statement was leaked to the Attorney General’s Office and published by Mediaset on Monday. Afterwards, according to sources close to him, Hermoso even considered not testifying before the judge if he didn’t offer him a “safe environment.”
“All criminal proceedings must be carried out with guarantees to protect the victims’ right to privacy,” begins the statement published this Wednesday by the players’ representative body TJM. “Until a few days ago we thought that this process provided Jenni with a safe environment, but the constant leaks and the lack of said guarantees prevent our player from carrying out the process normally,” complains the note, which denounces: “You have crossed borders, his fundamental rights have been violated and he has been exposed again without any consent from public opinion.”
More information
On Monday, the program Code 10 (Telecinco) broadcast the recording of the statement that Hermoso gave on September 5 before the deputy prosecutor of the National Court, Marta Durántez. This appointment took place in the utmost secrecy, as it was decided that it would take place in the office of the Attorney General and not in the headquarters of the National Court – to prevent the footballer from being seen by the many journalists who come to this place every day. Last building. The prosecution then copied the statement onto a USB stick and sent it to the judge along with their complaint. A device that was immediately integrated into the case opened a few days later by Judge Francisco de Jorge and to which the parties (defense of the accused and popular accusations) had access as they appeared in the trial.
Fearful of losing control of such a high-profile case, investigating judge De Jorge was very suspicious from the start. Information provided to the media through the court’s communications office has been restricted. In addition, last week, after a first part of Rubiales’ testimony before the judge was leaked, the judge expressed his discomfort: he then ordered an investigation into the incidents and restricted access to the audio recordings of the interrogations – they will no longer be available The lawyers only receive copies, but can view the recordings in court under supervision.
However, this Tuesday the tension increased. After Hermoso’s statement was leaked, the judge blamed the parties for the events leading up to the questioning of former coach Jorge Vilda. According to legal sources, the judge insisted they were criminal offenses. The player representatives were also very upset about the incident. “These events not only endanger Hermoso’s health, they also endanger the reliability and independence of the judicial process in which we have always trusted so much,” said the statement released by TJM on Wednesday.
The statement from the soccer player’s representative agency said: “In order to restructure the process, Jenni, her legal team and our agency have decided to take various measures to protect and ensure her privacy. “Among other things, we have called on the relevant authorities to take action against those responsible for the leaks and to seek solutions to ensure the security and preservation of the information in the case during the criminal proceedings.”
First public statements
Almost two months have passed since the Spanish team won the World Cup in Sydney. Almost two months have passed since Luis Rubiales, former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), kissed Jenni Hermoso at the awards ceremony. A tsunami that ended with the manager himself (accused of sexual assault and another of coercion) and with the foundations of the RFEF itself, from which emerged Jorge Vilda, the coach; Andreu Camps, Secretary General; Miguel García Caba, Director of Integrity; and Pablo García-Cuervo, communications director.
So far, Hermoso has been heard through a statement in which he said he felt vulnerable and the victim of an attack. He had not commented publicly since the events in Australia. But she finally broke her silence in Mexico, at the Soccer Hall of Fame ceremony where she was honored Tuesday night.
The long speech ended with a statement of intent, with this #seabab that became viral and famous since Alexia Putellas used it to defend her teammate. “It’s over! “I’m Jenni Hermoso, I’m a soccer player and I’m the girl who managed to become world champion,” the striker said last night. It was the only direct reference to the Rubiales case.
“On the night of August 20, as I lifted the trophy with my teammates, I could feel my father’s hands as he took me to training, my mother’s smile as she watched me play, and the joy “My whole family, who shared the dream of having a little child.” Soccer player who wanted to become a world champion. I’ve played football all my life; “I am 33 years old, but a few weeks ago I became a child again on the field of Australia Stadium in Sydney,” Hermoso began her speech.
“Even though only a short time has passed, I still wonder what we did that evening. We won a title, traveled around the world and We became one of the best teams in history. But deep down we have achieved something much more human, more transcendental. We were not champions who lifted a trophy that remained in the display cases, received a compensation bonus or appeared on thousands of magazine covers that crumpled over time: we were world champions because it was the only option left to us, to be heard, respected and valued. ” he continued.
“My national team changed the way many people view women’s football. I am sure that millions of girls around the world have felt identified and protected by this group of brave, committed and honest players who always thought about their future in every step they took. A lot has happened since then, perhaps we have sacrificed some joys, some celebrations and, without deserving, suffered more than necessary in a historic moment for us. We have an enormous responsibility towards the new generations. To all the people who don’t have a loudspeaker to make their voices heard, I want to say that this fight belongs to everyone. We win on and off the field to ensure a sport and an inclusive society that protects us all,” emphasized the Mexican Pachuca player.
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