(Reuters) – Jenni Hermoso expressed her hope for a positive outcome from the kiss scandal involving former Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales at the Women’s World Cup.
FIFA has banned Rubiales from all football-related activities for three years after an allegedly non-consensual kiss he gave Hermoso during the final in August.
Rubiales has stated his intention to appeal the ban, claiming that FIFA did not afford him the opportunity to defend himself.
Rubiales has consistently maintained that the kiss was consensual, while Hermoso insists it was imposed on her.
The scandal not only overshadowed the team’s victory in the World Cup but also catalyzed a “Me Too” moment that had been building for years.
When asked about her desired legacy, Hermoso shared with GQSpain, “I want to be remembered as someone who aimed to excel in Spain, but above all, as someone who sought to change many mindsets.”
The hashtag #SeAcabo, meaning ‘It’s over’ in Spanish, has become a rallying cry for those advocating for change.
“Fortunately or unfortunately, this story exists, but I will learn to utilize it positively in the fight for what I believe is beneficial for society. The #SeAcabo movement must usher in a new era,” the 33-year-old remarked.
Hermoso recently scored a dramatic winning goal against Italy in the Nations League, marking her return to the national team since the incident.
“Throughout these months, with everything that has transpired, my mind has sometimes drifted away from football. There have been times when I forgot that I am a footballer. However, returning to training, stepping onto the field, and wearing the uniform makes me want to showcase my best version once again,” Hermoso explained.
“Be it in the pursuit of the Olympic Games, within my club in Mexico, or with the national team, I will continue enjoying this sport,” she asserted.
Hermoso acknowledged the challenging period she has endured and continues to work with her psychologist.
“I have had to face the consequences of an act that I did not provoke, that I did not choose or plan,” she added. “I have faced threats, and that is something you never get accustomed to.”
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
