BARCELONA, Aug 26, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - The Spanish football federation (RFEF) on
Saturday threatened to take legal action over Women's World Cup player Jenni
Hermoso's "lies" about her kiss with its president Luis Rubiales.

The RFEF and Rubiales said they would "demonstrate each of the lies that have
been spread, whether in the name of the player, if that is the case, or by
the player herself".

It would take "as many legal actions as necessary to defend the honour of the
President of the RFEF."

Hermoso said on Friday she did not consent to being kissed on the lips
following Spain's World Cup triumph against England, as Rubiales had claimed.

The 33-year-old, along with 80 other Spain players, including the entire
World Cup winning squad, said they were striking from the national team until
the "leadership" changed.

It was a reaction to Rubiales refusing to resign on Friday despite
unprecedented criticism, saying he was the target of a campaign to get rid of
him.

In a fiery speech, he said the kiss was "mutual, euphoric and consensual" and
Hermoso had said "OK" when he asked her if he could give her "a peck".

He also asserted that "she was the one who lifted me in her arms and brought
me close to her body".

However Hermoso hit back strongly against his claims, saying she felt
"vulnerable and the victim of an assault".

"I want to clarify that at no time did I consent to the kiss that he gave me
and in no case did I seek to lift up the president," Hermoso said in the
statement released through her Futpro union.

The RFEF published a series of images on their website attempting to
demonstrate that Hermoso did in fact lift up Rubiales, as "the first
demonstration that the facts exposed by Mr. President are absolutely true".

Their threat of legal action appeared targeted at not just Hermoso and
Futpro, but anybody who may have damaged "the president's honourability".

- Change -

Hermoso's union Futpro said the 81 players were striking to help foster
change.

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Players from World Cup runners-up England released a statement in support of
Hermoso on their social networks, signed "The Lionesses".

"Unacceptable actions allowed to happen by a sexist and patriarchal
organisation. Abuse is abuse and we have all seen the truth," it read.

"The behaviour of those who think they are invincible must not be tolerated
and people shouldn't need convincing to take action against any form of
harassment.

"We all stand with you, Jenni Hermoso, and all players of the Spanish team."

Before the tournament 15 Spain players had taken a similar strike against the
federation and coach Jorge Vilda, but many relented and three were part of
the team's triumph in Australia and New Zealand.

Many players, including double Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, published
messages of support for Hermoso on social media on Friday, some including the
phrase "it's over" -- potentially referring to Rubiales' leadership of
Spanish football.

Now Putellas, Hermoso, player of the tournament Aitana Bonmati and many more
say they will not play for Spain again until Rubiales and potentially others
leave their posts.

The federation also appeared to send a thinly veiled threat to the striking
players.

"The RFEF respects, as it has always respected, the decisions of the players
who wish to participate or not with the Spanish national team in
international matches, although it is clear national team duty is an
obligation for all federated persons if they are called up," the RFEF added
in their statement.

The Spanish government has started a process which may allow them to suspend
Rubiales from his post next week, while FIFA have opened a disciplinary
investigation into his behaviour at the final.