Jenni Hermoso stated that the kiss and crotch grab by Luis Rubiales during Spain’s World Cup final victory over England were not consensual. As a result, FIFA banned Rubiales for three years. Hermoso also mentioned that she has received threats, which is something she finds difficult to handle.
Spain’s striker Jenni Hermoso recently shared that she received threats after the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, kissed her on the lips following their World Cup final victory.
Hermoso stated that the kiss was not consensual. Rubiales, who also touched his crotch while celebrating Spain’s 1-0 victory over England, was later banned by FIFA for three years.
The media storm lasted for weeks after Hermoso became the center of attention. She didn’t choose this spotlight when she should have been celebrating her biggest achievement in a career that included seven league titles and one Champions League win.
Hermoso was not included in Spain’s team in September. The new coach, Montse Tome, wanted to protect the 33-year-old. However, Hermoso returned last month and scored a winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Italy in the Women’s Nations League.
Now Hermoso, who plays for CF Pachuca in Mexico, has talked about how the controversy affected her in an interview with GQ Spain.
“These weeks have been very difficult,” Hermoso said. “Having to tell it over and over again was hurting me a lot. But I know I had to let it go somehow. I continue working on it with the help of my psychologist, who I have been with for many years.
“For me, mental health is as important as daily training, like the hours I have to sleep to be able to go out on the field. Thanks to her I feel strong and I’m not shattered or thinking about not wanting to play football anymore. I have not lost my enthusiasm.”
She added: “I’ve had to assume the consequences of an act that I did not provoke, that I had not chosen or premeditated. I have received threats, and that is something you never get used to.”
Rubiales’ actions led to the creation of the hashtag #SeAcabo, which means ‘It’s over’. This happened as more demands were made for fundamental change in the game.
But Hermoso didn’t want to be the main focus of this story. The former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward hopes to use the platform it has given her in a positive way.
Asked how she wanted to be remembered, she said: “As someone who has wanted to leave Spain at the top but, above all, as someone who has tried to change many mentalities.
“Fortunately or unfortunately, there is this story, but I am going to learn to take advantage of it positively to fight for what I believe is good for society. The #SeAcabo movement must bring a new era.
“These months, with everything that has happened, my mind has wandered a little from football. At times I didn’t remember that I was a footballer. But I go back to training, to a field, to putting on the uniform, and I want to give my best version again.
“In the race to the Olympic Games, in my team in Mexico, in the national team. I will continue enjoying this sport.”
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