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Spanish midfielder Jenni Hermoso joined the strike of women players on Friday after saying she did not consent to being kissed by the country's football federation chief Luis Rubiales after Spain's victory in the Women's World Cup final. Hermoso and 80 other players said that they would not accept an international call-up "if the current leadership continues" at the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). Luis Rubiales refused to resign at an emergency RFEF meeting earlier Friday.
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The chief said in a fiery speech that his kiss on Hermoso's lips during the World Cup final medal ceremony on Sunday was "mutual, euphoric and consensual" and she had said "OK" when he asked her if he could give her "a peck".
He also added that "she was the one who lifted me in her arms and brought me close to her body". However, Hermoso hit back strongly against his claims, saying she felt "vulnerable and the victim of an assault". "I want to clarify that at no time did I consent to the kiss that he gave me and in no case did I seek to lift up the president," Hermoso said.
Before the World Cup, 15 players took a similar stance against the federation and coach Jorge Vilda. Many players, including double Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, wrote messages of support for Hermoso on social media. Now Putellas, Hermoso, player of the tournament Aitana Bonmati and many other players said they will not play for Spain again until Rubiales and potentially others leave their posts.