With nocturnal, closing ranks to protect the leader and blaming the victim. In this way, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) issued a forceful statement after midnight to respond to Jenni Hermoso and her FUTPRO union, attaching four images that would demonstrate, in their opinion, the innocence and honorability in the behavior of her President, Luis Rubiales.
After a week in which such extraordinary sporting success as the one achieved by the women's team, winner of the Soccer World Championship, has been relegated to the background for completely unsportsmanlike and unfortunate reasons, the Spanish federation, oblivious to the embarrassment and criticism, insists on his Numantine attitude and desire to discredit the top scorer of the national team.
It was the unfortunate culmination of the intense day on Friday, which began with an Extraordinary Assembly in the Ciudad del Fútbol where Rubiales ruled out resigning amid strong political and social pressure, ended with a final statement from the RFEF to respond to that of FUTPRO in Jenni Hermoso's name.
The soccer player had assured through a statement signed jointly with 80 other players that the kiss was not consented to and that all the World Cup players resigned from being called up again with the Spanish women's soccer team. Later, in a statement from the national team's top scorer alone, she again insisted on not consenting to the kiss, accusing the statements published by the RFEF as false and feeling that she had been the victim of an attack.
The forward of the team denied Rubiales' statements in the morning, when the president stated that Hermoso "raised him off the ground" to grab him by the legs and when he left him on the ground they hugged, at which point, according to Rubiales, , received consent to kiss the player on the mouth.
"I want to clarify that as seen in the images, at no time did I consent to the kiss he gave me and, of course, I sought to raise the president," said the forward of the Mexican Pachuca in a statement from FUTPRO, Association of Professional Soccer Players.
However, the RFEF responded in turn to "demonstrate" that Rubiales did not lie, recalling that it will take "as many legal actions as appropriate in defense of the honor" of its president, who explained "in a clear and simple way how the events occurred that are cause for conflict and derision".
As explained in the statement: "Mrs. Jennifer Hermoso, with her arms, grabs the RFEF president from behind, while the president has his arms loose on the upper part of the player's back Therefore, no force could be exerted. You can see how Mr. President has the heels of his feet slightly raised." (PHOTO 1)
Regarding the second attached image, the federation believes that: "Ms. Jennifer Hermoso keeps her arms holding Mr. President from behind. Mr. President keeps his arms on the upper part of the player's body. It is verified how the Mr. President, your heels are already much higher."
Regarding the third image: "Mrs. Jennifer Hermoso continues to keep her arms in the same position as the president's body while the president must bring his arms closer to the player's back as a result of having raised him from the ground and to maintain balance. The inclination of Mrs. Jennifer Hermoso's back that occurs when she is carrying out an action of force is indisputable. Mr. President's feet are clearly and manifestly lifted off the ground as a result of the force action carried out by the player."
Finally, the RFEF version points to the responsibility of the player at that moment: "Mrs. Jennifer Hermoso continues to keep her arms in the same position as the president's body while the president must continue to hold on to the players so as not to fall and fall." It clearly verifies that the arching of the player's body corresponds to the lifting force of Mr. President that she is performing.
The feet of Mr. President are ostensibly raised off the ground as a result of the player's action."
For all these reasons, the RFEF concludes that: "The President has not lied."
The RFEF points out that "each of the lies that are disseminated will be demonstrated, either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable, by the player herself", announcing legal actions against FUTPRO and regretting not being able to celebrate success in the world Cup.
Finally, the Federation respects the decision of the world champions not to return to the national team, "as long as the current leader continues" as they announced, but recalled that "participation in the national team is an obligation of all federated people if they are called for it".
For the RFEF, these four images are "conclusive" to strengthen its position that Rubiales "has not lied", warning that "they will demonstrate each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable by the player herself."
In the same way, they indicate that "they are going to initiate the corresponding legal actions" and communicate that although "it respects, as it has respected at all times, the decisions of the players who want to participate or not with the Spanish team in international matches, they issue another warning" He also warns them that "participation in the selection is an obligation of all federated people if they are called for it."
