Jenni Hermoso says didn't give consent to Luis Rubiales to kiss her, goes on strike

Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso said on August 25 she felt like she had been assaulted by the country's football federation president Luis Rubiales when he forced a kiss on her at the World Cup final.

"I felt vulnerable and a victim of an assault, an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part. Simply, I was not respected," said Hermoso in a statement on social media.

Rubiales was hit with worldwide criticism in the days since the final on Sunday but refused to resign from his post on Friday at an emergency Spanish football Federation (RFEF) meeting.

Luis Rubiales defiantly told the emergency general assembly “I won't resign” four times in quick succession and claimed he was a victim of a witch hunt by “false feminists.” Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the award ceremony after Spain beat England in the final in Sydney, Australia, marring the title celebrations in front of a global audience.

Instead, he said the kiss was “mutual and with the consent” of Hermoso and painted himself as a victim. He received various applause from the overwhelming male assembly.

This prompted Hermoso and 80 other players to go on strike from national team duty until the "leadership" changes, while the Pachuca player, 33, spoke at length for the first time about the incident.

"The words of Mr. Luis Rubiales explaining the unfortunate incident are categorically false, and part of the manipulative culture that he himself has generated," wrote Hermoso.

"I clarify that in no moment did the conversation happen that (he) referenced, and much less, was the kiss consensual... I want to reiterate, as I did at the time, that this act was not to my liking."