The Spanish football federation says it will take legal action over Jenni Hermoso’s comments about its president Luis Rubiales.
Rubiales has refused to resign after kissing forward Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win over England in Sydney.
Hermoso said on Friday she did not consent, but the federation has questioned her version of events.
“The evidence is conclusive,” it said. “Mr President has not lied.”
In a statement by the players’ union Futpro, which is representing 33-year-old Hermoso, she is quoted as saying “In no case did I seek to raise (lift) the president” while they embraced on the podium.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said: “The RFEF and Mr President will demonstrate each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable, by the player herself.
“The RFEF and the President, given the seriousness of the content of the press release from the Futpro union, will initiate the corresponding legal actions.”
The federation also said that, if selected, players have “an obligation” to play for the national team, after 81 female players said they would not represent Spain until Rubiales is removed from his post.
Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias has also said he will not play for the men’s national team again while Rubiales is in charge.
In its statement, the RFEF provided four images of Hermoso’s embrace with Rubiales, with an analysis of each, which it claims demonstrates that she applied the force to lift Rubiales’ feet off the ground.
The federation says it has tried to contact Hermoso, who is Spain’s leading women’s goalscorer with 51 from 101 appearances but has “been unsuccessful at all times”.
Source:bbc.com
