Spanish soccer player says a kiss on the lips with federation president was not consensual
Jenni Hermoso was consensual, an assertion that Hermoso strongly denied.
Meanwhile, all 22 of Hermoso's fellow world champions, and 58 other Spanish players, announced they will no longer play for Spain if Luis Rubiales doesn't resign.
Facing his possible removal from office, the 46-year-old Rubiales cast himself as the victim at an emergency meeting of the federation in Madrid.
«I won't resign,» he declared four times in quick succession, to applause from the overwhelmingly male audience.
Rubiales, who was also chastised for grabbing his crotch after Spain's 1-0 victory over England on Sunday, is under immense pressure to leave his post.
The kiss marred the title celebrations in front of a global audience, and criticism has steadily mounted. Spain's acting prime minister, players unions, players for Spain's women's team, and even some players on men's teams have said he must go.
Several Spanish news media outlets reported on Thursday that Rubiales would step down.
Instead, he said on Friday that he is the victim of a witch hunt by «false feminists.»
While Rubiales held his ground, federation vice president Rafael del Amo, who had been in charge of women's soccer, announced that he was resigning, followed by at least two other federation members. Del Amo had urged Rubiales to also resign.
Among those applauding Rubiales were women's national team coach Jorge Vilda and men's national team coach Luis de la Fuente.
