Spanish federation threatens legal action over Hermoso 'lies'

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.

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 have 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.