Spain beat England in the World Cup final in Australia in August
Jenni Hermoso said she “received threats” when Luis Rubiales kissed her on the lips during the World Cup trophy presentation.
The kiss, which Hermoso said was non-consensual, took place after the Spanish striker helped her country beat England in the final in August.
The incident sparked outrage and Rubiales eventually resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
“These weeks have been very difficult,” Hermoso told Spanish magazine GQ.
“Having to tell it over and over again hurt me a lot. But I know I had to let it go somehow.”
“I continue to work on this with the help of my psychologist who I have worked with for many years.
“For me, mental health is just as important as daily training and the hours I have to sleep to be able to go on the field. Thanks to her, I feel strong and am not shaken or thinking about not wanting to play football anymore.” . I haven’t lost my enthusiasm.”
Rubiales was banned from moving within 200 meters of Hermoso after she filed a legal complaint.
At a trial in Madrid, the former association president denied having sexually abused and coerced Hermoso.
Rubiales was also banned by Fifa from all football-related activities for three years.
Hermoso added: “I had to face the consequences of an act that I did not provoke, that I did not choose or intentionally choose.”
“I received threats and you never get used to that.”
Spain’s World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda was fired in September and Rubiales is under investigation as part of the criminal case. He has since been appointed manager of the Moroccan women’s national team.
Montse Tome took over as Spain’s new coach and said she left Hermoso out of Nations League games in September to “protect” the player.
The 33-year-old was then named in the squad that will face Italy and Switzerland in the Nations League in October.
Hermoso came on as a substitute in the 68th minute against Italy and scored the winning goal in the 89th minute on her return.
Rubiales’ actions led to the creation of the hashtag #SeAcabo – which translates to “It’s over” – in support of Hermoso and as a target of the sexism that some saw embodied in the incident.
Asked how she wanted to be remembered, Hermoso said: “As someone who wanted to leave Spain at the top, but above all as someone who tried to change a lot of attitudes.”
“Whether good or bad, this story exists. I will learn to use them positively to fight for what I believe is good for society. The #SeAcabo movement must usher in a new era.”
“In the last few months, with everything that has happened, my mind has wandered away from football a little bit. Sometimes I couldn’t remember that I was a footballer. But I go back to training, onto the pitch, put on my gear and I want to be the best version of myself again.
Source : www.bbc.co.uk