Laia Codina, Spain’s World Cup-Winning Star, Unveils the Crucial Moment When ‘We Became Aware of the Kissing Scandal’

World Cup champion Laia Codina has revealed that the Spanish national team didn’t fully grasp the gravity of the kiss scandal involving suspended RFEF President Luis Rubiales and forward Jenni Hermoso until some time after the incident.

The situation unfolded with Rubiales receiving a 90-day suspension from FIFA and facing potential legal consequences as Hermoso agreed to provide a statement to the police, cooperating with the prosecution on potential charges related to sexual assault or sexual harassment.

In the immediate aftermath, a video surfaced showing the Spain squad making light of the incident. However, Codina explained that amid the jubilation of their World Cup victory, it wasn’t until one of the more experienced members of the team framed the situation that they truly understood its significance.

“We started to realize a bit during the dressing room, because with the celebrations, the families came down, you don’t know exactly what happened,” Codina said. “You know that people are talking about something, but you don’t know exactly what.”

“But in the end, when we are actually conscious of what happened, not just speaking about the kiss, but also the gestures of Rubiales next to the queen, when we’re actually aware on the bus.”

“One of the veterans says to us, ‘look, girls, because what happened here is very serious. It is unacceptable, and we have to condemn it because ultimately, it’s still an abuse of power by the boss towards a player, which could have been any one of us.”

This revelation may shed light on the images released after the incident on the bus. Hermoso, during her statement, mentioned that she hadn’t had time to process the event and only later realized that she had been a victim of a sexist and inappropriate act.

Codina further called for improved conditions for the women’s national team and women’s football in general. For some time, there has been a demand from Spain’s women’s players for better facilities and infrastructure in the game. Codina, a 23-year-old who recently transferred from Barcelona to Arsenal, emphasized that they simply want the same professional support and resources as the men’s game.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Hermoso has returned to Mexico, where she plays for club Pachuca, in an effort to escape the intense scrutiny that has surrounded her in the wake of recent events. Pachuca is expected to release a statement calling for the public to respect Hermoso’s privacy during this challenging time.