Hermoso, union urge Spanish federation to act after Rubiales kiss - ESPN

Jenni Hermoso, the attacking midfielder on Spain's World Cup champion team, broke her silence on Wednesday, urging action in a joint statement with her players union after she was on the receiving end of a kiss from Spain Football Federation president Luis Rubiales.

FUTPRO, the union which represents women's players in Spain, appealed to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to ensure the rights of the players after Rubiales kissed Hermoso without her consent during the awards ceremony after Sunday's World Cup final.

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Government officials have called for Rubiales to resign following the manner of his behaviour after Spain beat England 1-0 in Sydney, while acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called Rubiales' belated apology «insufficient and inadequate.»

«My union, FUTPRO, in coordination with my agency, TMJ, are taking care of defending my interests and being the interlocutors on this matter,» Hermoso said in a statement on Wednesday.

FUTPRO called the incidents involving Rubiales «acts that should never go unpunished» and said it would work to «sanction and adopt measures to protect the players against actions we believe are unacceptable.»

The union also called on the corresponding government agencies to take measures against sexism, harassment and workplace abuse in sport that put women's athletes in vulnerable positions.

«We ask the RFEF to implement the necessary protocols and to ensure the rights of our players and adopt exemplary measures.

»It is essential that our national team is represented by figures that project its values of equality and respect in all areas," the statement said.

«It is necessary to continue advancing in the fight for equality, a