" Hermoso rejected any suggestion that the kiss was consensual, describing Rubiales’ description as “categorically false” and saying the “conversation did not happen”.
Instead, she said, the incident had initially left her in “shock”, but she was now speaking out. “I feel the need to denounce what happened because I believe that no person, in any work, sports or social environment, should be a victim of this type of non-consensual behaviour,” she said. “I felt vulnerable and the victim of an aggression, an impulsive,
machista[chauvinistic] act, out of place and without any consent on my part. Simply put, I was not respected.”
Hermoso added: “I want to reiterate that I do not have to support the person who has committed this action against my will, without respecting me, in a historic moment for me and for women’s sport in this country.”
She said that she had repeatedly rebuffed the Spanish federation’s request to make a comment that would justify Rubiales’ act and lessen the pressure on the football chief. Even so, she claimed that the federation had continued to approach her, as well as her friends and family. “I’m sure that as a world champion national team we do not deserve such a manipulative, hostile and controlling culture,” she added.
Her statement was issued soon after a joint statement that said the World Cup champions would not return to play for the national team as long as the leadership remained in place. Along with all 23 players from the World Cup squad, the statement was signed by 56 other female football players.
It also spoke of the impact the days-long saga has had on La Roja’s
World Cup victory. “It fills us with sadness that such an unacceptable incident is managing to tarnish the greatest sporting success of Spanish women’s football,” it said. "
- Jenni Hermoso ‘did not consent’ to be kissed by Rubiales
