Footballer Jenni Hermoso says ‘in no moment’ was kiss with Luis Rubiales consensual

BARCELONA, Spain: Spanish soccer player Jenni Hermoso said Friday that ‘in no moment’ did she consent to a kiss by soccer federation president Luis Rubiales.
Hermoso issued a statement through her union hours after Rubiales claimed in an emergency meeting of the Spanish soccer federation that the kiss was consensual.
Facing his possible removal from office, Rubiales refused to step down despite the uproar he caused with the kiss, which happened during a medals ceremony last Sunday after the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, Australia.
“I won’t resign,” Luis Rubiales declared four times in quick succession at the meeting.
The 46-year-old Rubiales, who was also chastised for grabbing his crotch after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England on Sunday, is under immense pressure to leave his post.
The kiss marred the title celebrations in front of a global audience, and criticism has steadily mounted. Spain’s acting prime minister, players unions, players for Spain’s women’s team, and even some players on men’s teams have said he must go.
Several Spanish news media outlets reported on Thursday that Rubiales would step down.

Instead, he remained defiant Friday, claiming before the federation’s assembly that the kiss was “mutual and with the consent” of Hermoso and that he is the victim of a witch hunt by “false feminists.”
He was applauded by the overwhelming male assembly.
While Rubiales held his ground, federation vice president Rafael del Amo, who had been in charge of women’s soccer, announced that he was resigning, followed by at least two other federation members. Del Amo had urged Rubiales to also resign.
Among those supporting Rubiales were women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda and men’s national team coach Luis de la