#player-advocacy

#player-advocacy

Luis Rubiales, the country's football federation president, kissed striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips. This kiss was claimed to be consensual by Rubiales, but Hermoso disagreed, claiming it was not consented. This initiated a storm of criticism, leading to widespread protests and a court case that found him guilty of sexual assault. The incident stained what should have been one of the happiest days for Hermoso, prompting her and other players to boycott playing for Spain until substantial changes were made.

Club owners, league executives, national and international governing body senior leadership, my hope is that you come together, think beyond the short term, and make the bold, unselfish decisions needed to allow rugby to thrive once again.

"Even within the small community of people campaigning for better brain health there were people who would, and did, warn me off talking to him because they felt he had exaggerated his achievements."