Jenni Hermoso addresses ‘unacceptable’ World Cup kiss with tattoos
Jenni Hermoso’s World Cup victory lap took another interesting turn on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old attacking midfielder of Spain’s national team issued a statement with her union that condemned the “unacceptable” actions of Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales, who kissed Hermoso after the squad defeated England on Sunday, 1-0, in the Women’s World Cup final, as she and teammates kept the celebrations rolling with unique accessories.
“My union, FUTPRO, in coordination with my agency, TMJ, are taking care of defending my interests and have taken over as my interlocutors on this matter,” the statement read.
![Luis Rubiales is seen kissing Jenni Hermoso after Spain's Women's World Cup win.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/NYPICHPDPICT000026696423.jpg?w=1024)
![Jennifer Hermoso is seen vacationing in Ibiza after the Women's World Cup on Aug. 23, 2023.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/NYPICHPDPICT000026696234.jpg?w=1024)
FUTPRO, which champions female players in Spain, added, “From our association, we ask the Royal Spanish Football Federation to implement the necessary protocols, ensure the rights of our players and adopt exemplary measures. It is essential that our team, the current world champion, is always represented by figures who project values of equality and respect in all areas.”
The organization stated it “rejects any attitude or conduct that violates the rights of soccer players,” and from the union, is “working so that acts like the ones we have seen never go unpunished, are sanctioned and the pertinent measures are adopted to protect soccer players from actions that we believe are unacceptable.”
The message comes shortly after a separate statement was released to the media via the Spanish federation, in which Hermoso apparently called the incident “a totally spontaneous mutual gesture,” The Guardian reported.
![Jenni Hermoso of Spain celebrates winning the Women's World Cup on Aug. 20, 2023.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/NYPICHPDPICT000026696231.jpg?w=819)
![Jenni Hermoso on the pitch following Spain's Women's World Cup win.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/NYPICHPDPICT000026696227.jpg?w=1024)
It’s been speculated, however, that the “words attributed to Hermoso did not come from her directly,” according to SI.com.
There has been a global outcry in the wake of the incident, including damning criticism from Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s acting prime minister.
“What we saw was an unacceptable gesture,” Sanchez said, according to ESPN.
![Jenni Heromoso (far left), Misa Rodriguez and Alexia Putellas on a boat in Ibiza on Aug. 23, 2023.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/NYPICHPDPICT000026696232.jpg?w=1024)
![Jenni Hermoso posts a snap on her Instagram Stories that appears to feature a temporary tattoo.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/hermoso-1.jpg?w=642)
Although Rubiales issued an apology, Sanchez remarked it “wasn’t sufficient.”
As for the team itself, it seems to be soaking up the sun in Ibiza, according to the Daily Mail, with some players — including Hermoso — posting images of temporary tattoos that allegedly translate to, “There is no summer without a kiss.”
The Royal Spanish Football Federation is expected to meet on Friday “as a matter of urgency, an Extraordinary General Assembly,” according to a release.