From controversy to disqualification: Luis Rubiales’ kiss overshadows Spain’s women’s World Cup victory celebrations

Spain won the Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win over England in the final in Sydney, Australia last Sunday. But, contrary to expectations, the day of celebration ended with a dispute between the president of the Spanish Football Federation and one of the players of the national team. During the celebration, Luis Rubiales kissed forward Jennifer Hermoso on the lips. For Rubiales, the kiss was “consensual” and “spontaneous”, but the player denies this version of events and enjoys the support of his teammates.

Before the kiss, Rubiales had already touched his genitals in the middle of the gallery next to the figures of the Spanish crown. such as Queen Letizia and Infanta Sofia, as well as FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

The image of Rubiales kissing Hermoso spread around the world on social media, and the scandal caused an uproar in the Spanish Football Federation.

Rubiales downplayed the controversy

Originally in statements for Radio BrandLuis Rubiales dismissed the dispute. “What can I say about the kiss I gave Jenny? Idiots are everywhere. When two people show little affection, we can’t ignore those idiots. We are champions and this is what I have left,” he said.

“This is a kiss of two friends who are celebrating something … we will not be stupid. No more idiots,” the president concluded.

Luis Rubiales later decided to apologize for kissing striker Jennifer Hermoso. “I was wrong, of course,” he suggested, noting that “there was no bad faith on the part of the two parties” who maintain “excellent relations.”

The same reaction was not followed by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who retracted Rubiales’ apology. “Rubiales’ apology is neither sufficient nor adequate,” he said. The Spanish Prime Minister called Rubiales’ gesture “unacceptable”.

Resignations begin

The Association of Women Referees of Spain has asked the Royal Spanish Football Federation to implement a protocol to prevent, detect and take action against sexual harassment and abuse, and to “immediately” dismiss Luis Rubiales. A The association argued that this protocol expressly provides for the waiver of behavior such as that of Rubiales. “The act by Luis Rubiales clearly constitutes sexist behavior towards a woman’s body, done without her consent and in the context of unequal power relations that affect women’s ability to respond,” the association defended in a statement.

Rubiales decided to remain at the head of the Federation

After several requests to Rubiales to step down as president of the Spanish Football Federation, he decided to remain in office and assured that the kiss he gave to player Jennifer Hermoso “was received by agreement”. He said he had no intention of resigning despite the “social murder” he had endured. At the end of his speech before the Federation Assembly, he was applauded.

“This player missed a penalty and I have a great relationship with all the players. We were a family for more than a month, and throughout the entire period of concentration, we had moments of love, ”the leader of the speech justified.

But Jennifer Hermoso denies the kiss was consented to. “I want to clarify that I never agreed to the kiss that he gave me, and in no case did I try to raise the president. I can’t stand it when my word is questioned, and even more so that words are invented that I said. “- wrote the forward in a statement quoted by the newspaper. Brand.

In protest against the permanent tenure of Luis Rubiales as President of the Federation, all 23 world champions from Spain announced that they would withdraw from the list of candidates if the directors continued to fulfill their duties. In addition to the team that won the World Cup, 58 other Spanish players made the same decision.

Spanish federation defended Rubiales

Later, the Federation reacted to the statements of the player Jenny Hermoso and defended Rubiales. “The evidence is compelling. Mr. President did not lie,” reads a statement posted on the institution’s website. The body presented the photographs as “convincing” evidence that the kiss was consensual.

The federation has stated that it regrets “that after a sporting success such as winning the World Cup, it cannot be properly celebrated for reasons unrelated to sport”.

The institution later deleted a statement accusing Jennifer Hermoso of “distorting reality” in allegations she made against Rubiales.

FIFA suspends Rubiales

Meanwhile, FIFA Disciplinary Commission President Jorge Ivan Palacio has suspended Luis Rubiales. The manager is prohibited from participating in any activity related to football at the national or international level. The suspension, effective immediately, is extended for an initial period of ninety days or for the period necessary to complete the disciplinary procedure opened by the Disciplinary Commission against Rubiales on 24 August.

The Deputy Vice President of the Federation, Pedro Rocha Junco, temporarily assumed the duties of President of the organization. The department also said that Luis Rubiales said that “he will defend himself legally in the competent authorities, has full confidence in the FIFA authorities and confirms that in this way he is given the opportunity to start his defense.”

Spain coach condemned Rubiales’ behavior after applauding him

Spanish football coach Luis de la Fuente said he “unreservedly condemned the wrong and inappropriate behavior of the President of the Spanish Federation” after applause on the eve of a speech in which Luis Rubiales refused to resign.

“The moments taken by Luis Rubiales did not meet the minimum protocol to be followed in these commemorative promotions and are neither instructive nor adequate for a man who has represented all of Spanish football. He himself publicly acknowledged the inadequacy of his behavior,” said Luis de la Source.