Controversial Kiss Sparks Emergency Meeting: Spanish FA Reacts to Women's World Cup Row

The Spanish football federation has scheduled a meeting of grave importance in relation to the controversy surrounding the kissing incident during the Women's World Cup.

Despite being suspended by FIFA, Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has declined to resign from his position after he kissed women's team player Jenni Hermoso on the lips, following Spain's 1-0 victory against England last Sunday.

At the meeting on Friday, he was anticipated to step down; however, he surprised everyone with a vehement speech, asserting that he had become a target of a witch-hunt orchestrated by "false feminists."

According to Jorge Vilda, the coach of Spain's women's team, this debacle is nothing but an absurdity that has sullied the hard-earned triumph of both the players and the nation.

The Spanish federation's acting president, Pedro Rocha, has scheduled a meeting on Monday to assess the federation's current situation and discuss necessary next steps, according to a spokesperson on Sunday. Additionally, an internal investigation has been initiated following the activation of the federation's sexual violence protocol.

Maria Dolores Martinez Madrona, the investigating delegate responsible for protocol protection, stated in a press release, "We strongly emphasize the importance of respecting the privacy and dignity of all individuals involved."

Hermoso firmly stated that she did not give her consent for the kiss at any moment.

Jennifer Hermoso was spotted among the spectators at the Women's Cup final between Atletico Madrid and AC Milan on Saturday. The crowd warmly applauded her presence while the players displayed a banner that read, "With you Jennifer Hermoso."

Spain boss Vilda condemns Rubiales behaviour

However, Spain's triumphant World Cup-winning manager has now voiced his opinions on the matter, condemning suspended Rubiales and labeling the kiss as "inappropriate and unacceptable".

In a statement given to Spanish publication Marca, Vilda expressed concern over the recent events following Spain's historic win in the Women's World Cup. He lamented the unnecessary controversy that has arisen, tarnishing the well-deserved victory of our players and our nation. Vilda expressed deep regret that the inappropriate behavior of our former president, Luis Rubiales, has negatively impacted the success of Spanish women's football, a fact that Rubiales himself has acknowledged.

Without a doubt, this situation is completely unacceptable and goes against the principles and values I uphold in my personal life, as well as in sports in general and specifically in football.

The atmosphere created is undeniably unfavorable and deviates significantly from what should have been a joyous celebration of Spanish sport and women's sports.

As the women's national coach and sports director of the women's national team, my focus has always been twofold: achieving sporting success and fostering initiatives that advocate for inclusion, respect, and equity.

I want to reaffirm my steadfast dedication to promoting a sport that serves as a beacon of equality and respect in our society.

Spain's assistant managers, Montse Tome, Javier Lerga, and Eugenio Gonzalo Martin, have chosen to step down from their roles. Blanca Romero Moraleda, the physiotherapist, and Carlos Sanchez, the goalkeeper coach, along with several others involved in various age-group levels, have also submitted their resignations.

According to the coaches, the president of the Spanish Football Federation has been strongly and unequivocally condemned for his behavior. They refute his claims, stating that it does not align with the experiences and sentiments expressed by Jenni Hermoso, who has openly declared herself a "victim of aggression".

The technical team stands behind player Jennifer Hermoso, endorsing her version.

Due to the unacceptable attitudes and statements made by the RFEF's top leader, we, the undersigned, have decided to resign from our duties.

Rubiales refusing to resign

Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, FIFA, who initiated disciplinary measures against Rubiales on Thursday, revealed in a statement on Saturday morning that the 46-year-old official has been suspended "from all football-related activities at both national and international levels" for an initial duration of 90 days.

Jorge Ivan Palacio, the chairman of the FIFA disciplinary committee, has instructed Rubiales and the RFEF to cease any form of communication or attempt to reach out to Hermoso, whether directly or through intermediaries.

Hermoso has leveled accusations against the RFEF, describing their culture as "manipulative, hostile, and controlling." A total of 81 players have expressed their refusal to join the national team while Rubiales continues to hold his position.

Despite being just a few meters away from Spain's Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter in the VIP area of the stadium, Rubiales celebrated by grabbing his crotch. He apologized for his behavior in the VIP area but, in his speech on Friday at an extraordinary general assembly of the RFEF, he claimed to have been the victim of a "social assassination" and firmly declared, "I will not resign." These words were met with applause from the assembled delegates.

Rubiales asserted that the occurrence was "impromptu, reciprocal, exhilarating, and unanimous." However, Hermoso, who had previously dismissed the federation's claims that she downplayed the incident, retaliated by launching a broadside against the organization.

"While it is not my place to assess communication and ethical protocols, I am certain that as the reigning world champion national team, we do not merit such a deceptive, antagonistic, and domineering environment," she expressed in a Twitter statement on Friday.

"I intend to strongly assert the stance I adopted from the outset, as I feel no obligation to stand by the individual who has perpetrated this act without my consent, showing a complete lack of respect towards me, especially during a pivotal moment for both myself and women's sport."

According to Hermoso, as quoted in a press release by Futpro, the players' union representing her, she clearly states, "Under no circumstances did I attempt to uplift the president."

The RFEF has analyzed four images of Hermoso and Rubiales embracing, stating that the images demonstrate that Hermoso's force was responsible for lifting Rubiales. The RFEF will take legal action to defend the honorability of the RFEF president.

The union's note claims to represent Jennifer Hermoso and attributes certain statements to her using quotation marks, suggesting that she herself made those statements.

The RFEF would like to inform the public that the relevant bodies within the federation, responsible for handling the complaints that have been submitted, have made multiple attempts to reach out to Jennifer Hermoso to no avail.

The RFEF and the President will refute every falsehood spread by either someone representing the player or, if applicable, by the player themselves.

"The RFEF and the President, recognizing the gravity of the statements made by the Futpro Union in their press release, will pursue legal actions accordingly."