Football-espana reports that Spain international Lola Gallardo has slammed RFEF head Luis Rubiales. Pressure on Rubiales is rising after a tumultuous few days in Sydney and Madrid.
After kissing striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips at Stadium Australia following Spain’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final triumph over England on August 20, the RFEF chairman was widely criticised.
Rubiales has refused demands to quit despite looking set to go as the crisis has evolved.
Hermoso said she did not consent to the kiss and was pressed to defend Rubiales’ behaviour.
Gallardo was one of 15 players who wrote to the RFEF in October to seek improvements before the World Cup. She did not return.
The Atletico Madrid custodian has supported Hermoso and said Rubiales’ behaviour is expected. Telecinco said, “I have never seen Rubiales kiss Sergio Ramos or Dani Carvajal on the lips when they have won big titles”.
“He doesn’t think about it. He felt ‘euphoric’ for other reasons, not the ladies becoming world champions. His year has been horrible, and now the 15 of us are viewed as ‘brats’ and he and Jorge Vilda have ‘won’ against us.”
