In a tense backdrop shaped by the night and the historic Numantine resistance, reports indicate that after Friday’s announcement of open refusal to resign, a broad wave of surprise followed. A series of apologies devolved into pointed criticisms of his detractors, and the leadership appeared cornered by mounting signs of disapproval. The stance took shape as a boycott that touched the entire squad list, including players linked to past World Cup campaigns. The stance suggested that the national team would not participate again until the federation’s top leadership steps aside. This sequence reflects a broader conflict over governance and accountability within the national program.
Setting aside immediate tensions, the Royal Spanish Football Federation, under the leadership associated with Luis Rubiales, sought to mold a narrative that could reverse what many described as a troubling conclusion. A public clarification came from Jennifer Hermoso through the Futpro Union, addressing what happened during the kiss and clarifying the moment when Hermoso interacted with Rubiales.
In the federation’s view, the defense centered on a legal framework, asserting that statements were compared against facts and evidence. They maintained that the president’s account was accurate and that no falsehoods were present when weighed in court. This stance is described as part of the federation’s effort to present its perspective within a broader legal and public-relations framework.
Federation’s response to Jenni Hermoso: “Mr. President didn’t lie”
As the federation has framed it, the president’s position aligns with the rule of law, where opinions are weighed against verifiable proof and alleged falsehoods are contested through judicial channels. The federation states that the facts presented by the president are true and that there is no deception in the narrative they advocate.
RFEF version
To support its case, the federation released a sequence of points that it says illuminate the events from their initial statement onward. It presents a series of images intended to illustrate the moment Hermoso is shown with the president’s arms positioned behind her, while the president’s own arms remain lighter in contact at the top of the player’s back. The claim is that such positioning rules out the notion of force being applied, according to the federation’s timeline.
Subsequent descriptions note the president’s arms temporarily taking a higher position over the player, as depicted in the federation’s account. The materials are presented as evidence within their narrative framework, with captions indicating the positions of the bodies at various moments.
In another portion of the federation’s account, it is claimed that the president’s height and stance are part of the analysis, implying that balance and body alignment played a role in the interaction. The narrative suggests that the physical dynamics captured in the images must be interpreted within the context of the moment and the movement of both individuals.
Ultimately, the federation’s version emphasizes that, according to their interpretation, the responsibility for the moment rests with the player, noting that Hermoso’s continued grip and the president’s grip on the player are described as part of an ongoing motion, with the implication that the president’s balance and stance affected the sequence. The accompanying descriptions frame the event as a matter of body posture and momentum rather than coercion.
Warning to the rest of the team
According to the federation, these four images are meant to fortify the credibility of their narrative and to counter what Rubiales characterizes as false statements directed at him. They warn that any further claims will be addressed through appropriate legal channels, while also underscoring a respect for players’ choices about whether to participate in the national team in the future. In terms of international match participation, the federation stresses that wearing the team jersey and answering the call remains a responsibility for federation members when selected.
In this broader context, the federation signals readiness to pursue legal action as needed while reaffirming its stance on individual players’ decisions to join or abstain from national duty. The narratives emphasize governance, accountability, and the delicate balance between protecting personal dignity and managing a national program that is under intense public scrutiny. (Source: Reuters).