Video shows Hermoso laughing at meme of Rubiales kiss

Aug 30, 2023

A video shows Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso laughing at a meme of Luis Rubiales kissing her – and other players chanting “kiss, kiss”.

The fallout from the incident during the World Cup final presentation has caused an outcry and led to intense pressure on Spain’s football federation president to quit.

Mr Rubiales has refused to go and claimed the player consented to a “peck” – something she has denied.

The newly surfaced clip, published by the El Espanol site, was seemingly recorded on the team bus after their win over England.

It shows Hermoso smiling and laughing as she holds up a split image of the Rubiales kiss next to a picture of Spain’s goalkeeper kissing his partner after the men’s 2010 World Cup win.

She’s also heard telling teammates he “grabbed me like this” and showing how Mr Rubiales held her head.

Some of Hermoso’s players are heard chanting “kiss, kiss” in Spanish and “presi, presi” [short for president] in another part of the clip.

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Mr Rubiales, 46, himself is seen walking through the coach at one point and saying he feels embarrassed.

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Spanish media say Mr Rubiales has sent the video to FIFA, who recently launched disciplinary proceedings against him as criticism of his actions grew.

In a previously seen dressing room video, Hermoso is heard saying: “I did not like it, but what could I do?” – and in a later statement said she “in no moment” consented to the kiss.

She said she was “vulnerable” and “the victim of an aggression”.

The women’s team have refused to play until Mr Rubiales goes, while the team’s manager could also be forced to quit for applauding Mr Rubiales during his defiant speech last week.

Jorge Vilda later changed his stance and released a statement criticising his actions – but did not call for him to go.

The federation boss has said the kiss was “the same I could give one of my daughters”, while his mother is on hunger strike after saying her son has been unfairly targeted.

Spanish prosecutors, however, are looking at whether the kiss constitutes sexual harassment.

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