Embattled Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales has used his federation to accuse World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso of lying by saying she did not consent to being kissed by him.
The latest defiant statement from Mr Rubiales, 46, came in the early hours of Saturday morning amid mounting pressure from within Spanish football and the government for him to resign.
It was expected he was going to step down on Friday before going on the attack against his accusers in a speech at a federation assembly.
That sparked an outcry from Hermoso and her teammates who vowed not to play for their country again – days after winning the World Cup for the first time.
In a statement on Friday night the 33-year-old forward and key contributor to Spain’s victory, said “in no moment” did she consent to the kiss.
Rather than showing empathy with how Hermoso perceived the incident as an action of aggression, Mr Rubiales has sought to attack her reputation.
In an attempt to deflect away from the specifics of the kiss, the Spanish federation’s lengthy statement showed a series of images claiming to be Hermoso encouraging being lifted by Mr Rubiales.
A statement from the federation – known as RFEF in Spanish – said: “Mr President’s feet are ostensibly lifted from the ground as a result of the player’s action.
“The tests are conclusive. Mr President has not lied.
“The RFEF and Mr President will demonstrate each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable, by the player herself.”
There is a threat of legal action – taking away from the success the federation says it wants to celebrate.
Jennifer Hermoso celebrates with the World Cup trophy
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The statement said: “The RFEF regrets that after a sporting success as extraordinary as the one that occurred in the World Cup, it cannot be celebrated as the situation and success deserves for completely extra-sporting reasons.”
FIFA has started a case against Rubiales but UEFA – of which he is a 250,000 euro a year vice president – has yet to comment.
Mr Rubiales grabbed the player and kissed her on the lips during the awards ceremony following Spain’s 1-0 victory over England on Sunday in Sydney, Australia.
Hermoso said she was “vulnerable” and “the victim of an aggression”, as she and the rest of the Spain team revealed they will not play any further matches until the “federation leadership is removed”.
A total of 56 players, including all of the 23-strong World Cup-winning squad, signed the joint statement after Mr Rubiales refused to resign following his controversial kiss at the final.
