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<\/div>\nSpain\u2019s men\u2019s players have condemned the \u201cunacceptable behaviour\u201d of federation president Luis Rubiales.<\/p>\n
Rubiales, 46, has been\u00a0widely criticised after he kissed\u00a0player Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain\u2019s Women\u2019s World Cup final win last month.<\/p>\n
Rubiales has repeatedly refused to resign over the kiss, which Hermoso said was not consensual.<\/p>\n
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The men\u2019s side have expressed their \u201cregret and solidarity with the players whose success has been tarnished\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to reject what we consider unacceptable behaviour on the part of Mr Rubiales, who has not lived up to the institution he represents,\u201d said forward Alvaro Morata in a statement on behalf of the Spain squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe firmly and unequivocally stand on the side of the values that this sport represents.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpanish football must be a driving force for respect, inspiration, inclusion, and diversity and must set an example with its behaviour both on and off the field.\u201d<\/p>\n
Luis de la Fuente, head coach of the men\u2019s team, last week asked for \u201cforgiveness\u201d after initially applauding a speech in which Rubiales said he would not resign.<\/p>\n
De la Fuente added\u00a0he would not step down\u00a0from his job.<\/p>\n
After Spain\u2019s 1-0 victory over England at Sydney\u2019s Stadium Australia on 20 August, Rubiales also grabbed his crotch while celebrating in the VIP area, with Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter standing nearby.<\/p>\n
He has been provisionally suspended by world governing body Fifa and Spain\u2019s national sports tribunal (TAD) has opened a misconduct case against him.<\/p>\n
On 1 September, Rubiales acknowledged he had \u201cmade mistakes\u201d but repeated his belief that the kiss was consensual.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI will continue to defend myself to prove the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n
After calling a press conference, Morata read out the statement alongside fellow senior players Marco Asensio, Cesar Azpilicueta and Rodri.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to convey, once again, our pride and heartfelt congratulations to the women\u2019s national team for winning the World Cup in Sydney,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a historic milestone filled with significance that will mark a before and after in Spanish women\u2019s football, inspiring countless women with an invaluable triumph.<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore, we want to express our regret and solidarity with the players whose success has been tarnished.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spain\u2019s squad have gathered for a training camp before Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Georgia on Friday and Cyprus on Tuesday, 12 September.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would like to focus on sporting matters from now on, considering the importance of the challenges ahead,\u201d added Morata.<\/p>\n
What else has happened?<\/h3>\n
On 28 August Spanish prosecutors\u00a0opened a preliminary investigation\u00a0into whether the incident amounts to a crime of sexual assault, while the regional leaders of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) called for Rubiales\u2019 resignation.<\/p>\n
His mother\u00a0locked herself in a church\u00a0on the same day and went on an \u201cindefinite\u201d hunger strike in protest against the treatment of her son. She was taken to hospital two days later and\u00a0discharged\u00a0the following day.<\/p>\n
The head of Spain\u2019s Olympic Committee Alejandro Blanco has said Rubiales\u2019 actions were \u201cinappropriate and unacceptable\u201d, but an \u201cisolated incident\u201d that did not represent Spanish sport as a whole.<\/p>\n
The RFEF is also exploring its options over whether it can sack Women\u2019s World Cup-winning head coach Jorge Vilda.<\/p>\n
Vilda is still in his post despite most of his coaching staff resigning in protest against Rubiales\u2019 refusal to quit, while 81 female players, including all 23 World Cup winners, have said they would not play for the team again while Rubiales remained in his role.<\/p>\n
A video\u00a0has also emerged\u00a0appearing to show Hermoso and her teammates laughing and discussing the kiss on the team bus following the game.<\/p>\n
Hermoso appears to be viewing a meme of ex-Spain men\u2019s goalkeeper Iker Casillas kissing his then-partner Sara Carbonero, a television presenter, during an interview following the country\u2019s 2010 World Cup victory.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old, who plays for Mexican side Pachuca, later says \u201che comes over and hugs me like this\u201d when talking about Rubiales.<\/p>\n
In her statement denying the kiss was consensual, Hermoso said: \u201cI feel the need to report this incident because I believe no person, in any work, sports or social setting should be a victim of these types of non-consensual behaviours.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt vulnerable and a victim of impulsive-driven, sexist, out-of-place act, without any consent on my part. Quite simply, I was not respected.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added she was put \u201cunder continuous pressure\u201d to help with a \u201cstatement that could justify\u201d Rubiales\u2019 actions \u2013 and so were her family, friends and team-mates.<\/p>\n
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