Spain's World Cup squad is boycotting after its federation president kissed a player without consent and refused to resign

• Less than a week after winning the World Cup, Spain's national women's soccer team is boycotting its federation.
• The protest comes after federation president Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on live TV without her consent.

Spanish soccer is in turmoil less than a week after the women's team won its first-ever World Cup.

Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales was on hand in Australia when Spain bested England 1-0 in the 2023 World Cup final on August 20. He celebrated alongside the players and, while congratulating superstar Jenni Hermoso, grabbed her head and planted a kiss on her lips.

Afterward Hermoso said, "At no time did I consent to the kiss that he gave me."

Rubiales claims otherwise, and has downplayed the "little peck" as "spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual."

Now, a moment that played out on soccer's biggest stage has left the entire World Cup squad and dozens of former women's national team players boycotting their federation.

International outrage was directed his way in the aftermath, with calls for his resignation flooding social media. Even Spain's acting prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, condemned Rubiales' conduct.

Many expected the federation's boss to resign from his post last Friday. Instead, Rubiales emphatically declared that he "won't resign" and "will fight until the end" during the RFEF's emergency meeting last Friday to discuss the issue.

His defiance elicited applause from an audience filled almost exclusively with men — including controversial head coach Jorge Vilda who has been in a public feud with players on the team for more than a year.

Today, Hermoso and the 22 other players who hoisted the 2023 World Cup trophy are refusing to play for their country until Rubiales is ousted from his position. Nearly 60 additional players who have suited up for La Roja have also signed the statement announcing the protest.

Multiple other teams have also voiced support of the Spanish players, including England's national women's team, Canada's national women's team, and the United States' national women's team.

"From our union, we want to emphasize that no woman should find herself being doubted in this kind of sensitive situation, even more when there is such undeniable TV footage that had been viewed globally, and certainly, they should not be involved in non-consensual actions," Spain's players wrote via FUTPRO. "The players of the Spanish National Football Team, current World champions, expect a strong response from the public authorities so these actions do not go unpunished."

The players ended the statement by calling for structural changes to the team that would help future generations.

"It saddens us that such an unacceptable incident is tarnishing the greatest sporting achievement of Spanish women's football," they wrote.