SHARE
COPY LINK

FOOTBALL

Sevilla players pay ‘It’s Over’ tribute to Hermoso in Rubiales battle

Sevilla players paid tribute to Spanish women's team star Jenni Hermoso and the country's other top female footballers ahead of their 2-1 defeat by Girona on Saturday in La Liga

Sevilla players pay 'It's Over' tribute to Hermoso in Rubiales battle
Seville players wearing jerseys reading 'It's over' referring to widespread outrage over unsolicited kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso by president of Spain's football federation Luis Rubiales. Photo: CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP.

Hermoso, 33, was forcibly kissed on the lips by Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales at the Women’s World Cup final medal ceremony on Sunday.

World football governing body FIFA suspended Rubiales on Saturday, while on Friday 81 Spain players including Hermoso said they would not play for the women’s national team while the current “leadership” continued.

Sevilla players wore warm-up t-shirts with the phrase “It’s Over” written on the front in Spanish, which several Spain women’s players and Hermoso herself had used on Friday on social media and in statements, apparently referring to Rubiales’ reign in Spain.

La Roja’s World Cup final goalscoring hero Olga Carmona watched the match from the presidential box at Sevilla’s Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, less than a week after she netted the winning goal against England in Sydney, only to find out after the game her father had died.

Jose Luis Mendilibar’s Europa League winners have now lost their opening three matches in a dismal start to La Liga, in which they are bottom.

Earlier Cadiz players came out for their 1-1 draw against Almeria with a banner reading “We are all Jenni”.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

RACISM

Atlético Madrid win appeal over racist abuse sanction

The Spanish Football Federation on Thursday accepted Atlético Madrid's appeal against a partial stadium ban after racial abuse directed at Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.

Atlético Madrid win appeal over racist abuse sanction

Atlético were initially ordered to partially close their stadium for two La Liga matches following monkey chants heard by Spain international Williams at Atlético’s Metropolitano stadium last month.

The federation pointed to Atlético’s “active cooperation” in their decision to lift the stadium ban and a €20,000 ($21,350) fine.

Williams heard the abuse when he went to take a corner. He subsequently scored, pointing to his arm in reference to his skin colour, in his side’s 3-1 defeat on April 28th.

“There weren’t many of them. There are stupid people everywhere… I hope this changes bit by bit” he said after the match.

Atlético identified the person responsible for the abuse from cameras in the stadium. He was handed over to the police when the game ended, and banned from the club.

The federation praised Atlético’s swift action in what they accepted was “an isolated incident”.

Spanish football has suffered a spate of racist incidents in recent years, many of which have been aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.

The Brazil international earned global support after facing off with a fan who was abusing him last year at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium, which also faced subsequent partial closure.

SHOW COMMENTS