In a moment that many fear will redefine Spanish football’s culture, 81 current and former players united to support Jenni Hermoso after remarks by Luis Rubiales at the Extraordinary General Meeting on Friday, August 24. The letter, from the FutPro union, champions Hermoso while condemning conduct that calls into question the dignity and autonomy of players who gave Spain its world title just days earlier.
Hermoso herself asserts that the kiss exchanged with Rubiales during the triumph celebration was never approved. The video footage shows no consent, she states, and she makes clear that she will not tolerate her words being misrepresented or manipulated. This is not just a dispute over a moment; it is part of a broader conversation about agency and respect within the national team and within sport itself.
Note: The following full statement is signed by 81 players and former players
Responding to the events of the morning and to the rhetoric surrounding the federation’s president, Rubiales, the senior team, the reigning world champions, declare their solidarity with Hermoso. They condemn behavior that undermines the dignity of women and express their desire for accountability and concrete change. Hermoso states clearly that she did not consent to the kiss and that she never attempted to teach or correct the federation president. She also emphasizes that her own testimony should be respected and not distorted.
From the FutPro association comes a firm reminder that no woman should be expected to justify or excuse what she witnesses or endures, and that women must not be forced to defend actions that violate consent. The players stress that this incident should spur a public examination of leadership and a commitment to uphold the standards expected of a modern national team.
The letter explains that the players, as current world champions, anticipate a strong response from government and institutions to ensure that such episodes do not go unpunished. It calls for robust changes, both on the field and in the organizational framework, to secure a path for the national team to grow and to pass the achievements on to future generations. It also notes the sadness that a moment of triumph could be overshadowed by unacceptable behavior that hurts the sport’s image and its supporters.
The signatories declare that they will not respond to future national team call-ups while current leadership remains in place, mirroring a pledge of solidarity that teams across the federation will recognize. The list of those who signed includes Jenni Hermoso and many other prominent players across generations, each bringing a reputation for excellence and a commitment to reform when it is needed most.
Statement by Jenni Hermoso: a claim of aggression
In a subsequent statement published on her official Twitter account, Hermoso describes Rubiales’ remarks as categorically false. She says she felt vulnerable and the target of an assault, insisting that the conversation cited by Rubiales never occurred as described. She notes that she cannot support a person who acted against her will and that the federation pressured her circle to present a version of events that did not reflect her true feelings.
Hermoso adds that this incident is part of a pattern of behavior she and many teammates have endured for years. She characterizes the act as impulsive and sexist and asserts that it occurred without any consent. Her stance is clear she will not tolerate being discredited or silenced, and she calls for a reckoning that matches the scale of the achievement reached by the team just days earlier.
These statements underscore a moment of reckoning for the federation and a potential turning point for the sport in Spain. The ongoing dialogue focuses on ensuring that players are heard, protected, and empowered to shape the direction of the national program with dignity and respect.
Officials and fans alike watch closely as more voices weigh in about accountability, governance, and the kind of environment that will sustain success on the world stage. The call is for transparency, systemic reform, and real, lasting changes that extend beyond a single incident and into the daily life of the team and its leadership.