Spanish soccer player: Kiss on the lips with federation president was not consensual

The embattled president of Spain’s soccer federation defiantly refused to step down Friday after insisting that a kiss on the lips with women’s soccer player Jenni Hermoso was consensual, an assertion Hermoso strongly denied.

Meanwhile, all 22 of Hermoso’s fellow world champions, and 58 other Spanish players, announced they will no longer play for Spain if Luis Rubiales doesn’t resign.

Facing his possible removal from office, the 46-year-old Rubiales cast himself as the victim at an emergency meeting of the federation in Madrid.

“I won’t resign,” he declared four times in quick succession, to applause from the overwhelmingly male audience.

Rubiales, who was also chastised for grabbing his crotch after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England on Sunday, is under immense pressure to leave his post.

The kiss marred the title celebrations in front of a global audience, and criticism has steadily mounted. Spain’s acting prime minister, players unions, players for Spain’s women’s team, and even some players on men’s teams have said he must go.

Sweden No. 1, U.S. falls in rankings: Sweden, which lost to Spain in the semifinals, moved into the top spot in the latest FIFA rankings published Friday, with the United States falling from No. 1 for the first time in more than six years.

Women’s World Cup winner Spain rose to No. 2 in the FIFA rankings. FIFA said Spain, which jumped four spots, would have led but for ranking points lost in a group-stage 4-0 defeat by Japan.

The U.S. dropped to No. 3. The twotime defending World Cup champion lost in the round of 16 to Sweden.

European champion England, which lost to Spain in the final, stayed at No. 4. England won its semifinal against France which is No. 5.