Vero Boquete says Jenni Hermoso's phone was hacked to get videos
Vero Boquete has emerged as one of the prominent figures in the fight against Luis Rubiales. The Fiorentina footballer has never held back when discussing the controversial case that has rocked women's football, and in an interview with 'Der Spiegel' on Monday, she made some revealing statements.
In this interview, Vero Boquete hinted that Jenni Hermoso's phone was hacked with the aim of finding something that could discredit the national team's No. 10. "That's how the war goes. We knew there were no rules. Jenni's phone was hacked, and they had access to photos and videos. Then, they leaked things that could be used to attack the victim."
"We've won a battle but we're losing the war," said the former captain of the Spanish national team.
Furthermore, the Fiorentina player made it clear that the leaked video from the bus contains biased information. "On the bus, there are other moments where the players say it's something very serious that cannot be tolerated. Since FIFA had prohibited Rubiales from contacting Jenni, he sought other ways."
Vero Boquete also wanted to add that if the controversial kiss had not been captured on camera, "today Rubiales would be considered the best official in the world, and Jorge Vilda the best coach," even though there were already numerous complaints "about certain behaviours and training conditions."
"Rubiales finally realized that holding onto his position made no sense. But we want a deeper change," she added. Boquete, as she had done before, questioned the appointment of Montse Tomé as head coach, arguing that she had only been an assistant until now and took too long to distance herself from Rubiales.
"She tolerated too many things and distanced herself from Rubiales very late. I don't doubt that she's a good coach, but is she the best one for the best team in the world? I don't think so. There are others with more experience," she concluded.
According to Boquete, the message being sent now is that "since a woman is now coaching, the players can't keep complaining." "That's not what we want. Although we prefer Montse over Jorge (Vilda), it's unfair, that's why the players are still on strike," she said.
Passivity of the men's national team
On the other hand, Boquete says that the declaration of solidarity from the male national team players with Jenni Hermoso came too late and is insufficient. "The statement is primarily an attempt to dodge the issue. The players don't want uncomfortable questions. But now uncomfortable questions and brave answers are needed," she said. "The truth is that most players don't care about the issue. Rubiales won't kiss them on the mouth. He won't humiliate them. They don't have to fight every day for equal treatment. It's difficult for them to be brave," she adds later.
At the end of the interview, when asked whether she would prefer to coach a men's or women's team in the future, she leans towards working in men's football. "Not because I don't like women's football. I would also like to work with them, but I want to work at the highest level, and for now, that's in men's football. It's a personal motivation. I want to prove that I have the same abilities as a man to coach," she explained. "Hopefully, it will soon be normal for coaches, both men and women, to move between women's and men's football. I could do both," she added.
