Luis Rubiales faces calls to resign over Women’s World Cup events; The Spanish Football Federation is preparing for the meeting
The president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, has been asked to resign over events after Spain won the Women’s World Cup, ahead of an emergency meeting on Friday.
Rubiales was widely criticized for his behavior after Spain’s victory over England on Sunday, kissing attacking referee Gini Hermoso on the lips during the presentation ceremony and grabbing his penis in celebration shortly after the final whistle.
The president apologized for kissing Hermoso, which he said was “normal, normal and not in bad faith at all”.
But the president of the Spanish club, Getafe, Angel Torres, called on Rubiales to resign, and told Carusel Deportivo: “He must resign. The CSD (Supreme Council for Sport in Spain) has to start the proceedings now. This man can’t stay for another minute. There is the 2030 World Cup, which already has a bad image.
The Committee on Sustainable Development has already received complaints about Rubiales and the Spanish Football Federation held an extraordinary meeting on Friday.
The world players’ union FIFPRO issued a statement on Wednesday calling for immediate action, adding “It is deeply regrettable that such a special moment… must be tainted by the inappropriate behavior of an individual in a role that carries so much responsibility.”
“FUTPRO, in coordination with my agency TMJ, takes care of the defense of my interests and is the mediator in this matter,” Hermoso said, speaking through the Spanish Football Federation and her agency.
#fifpro Statement on the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales: pic.twitter.com/h9aGWfuSKx
– Fifpro (@FIFPRO) August 23, 2023
FUTPRO said in its statement that it expressed its “firm and unequivocal condemnation in the face of behaviors that threaten the dignity of women.”
“From our Federation, we ask the Spanish Federation to implement the necessary protocols, monitor the rights of our players and adopt exemplary measures,” the statement read.
“It is essential that our national team, the current world champions, are always represented by characters who reflect the values of equality and respect in all areas.
“It is essential to continue progressing in the struggle for equality, a fight fought with determination by our players, which has brought us to the position we find ourselves in today.
“We also appeal to the Supreme Sports Council to support, within its mandate, and actively promote prevention and intervention in the face of sexual assault or abuse, misogyny and sexism.
“FUTPRO rejects any attitude or behavior that harms the rights of footballers and, as a federation, we are working so that actions like the ones we have seen never go unpunished, sanctioned and appropriate measures taken that protect footballers from actions we think are unacceptable.” . “.
said one of the RFEF sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they did not have permission to comment publicly the athlete and that Rubiales, despite his regrets, has no intention of stepping down. The source claimed it was understood the 46-year-old felt confident in his position despite the backlash and that RFEF officials were set to reiterate their support for him on Friday.
It is scheduled that the Spanish League clubs will be represented in the meeting. Real Madrid preferred not to comment on the situation publicly, but club sources said the athlete Their position will be clarified at the RFEF meeting on Friday. Barcelona has noted Rubiales’ apology and expects to hear further clarifications at the meeting.
Go deep
Controversy and condemnation after the World Cup kiss – Luis Rubiales is no stranger to either
Rubiales has publicly rejected criticism of his actions.
“We don’t pay any attention to idiots and idiots,” he told Spanish Radio Kobe. “It was a fight between two friends who were celebrating something.” (The criticisms) are all really nonsense, (from) idiots and fools. These are just losers who did not know how to see the positive side.”
“Yes (it happened), but I didn’t like it,” Hermoso said while watching a video of the incident with her teammates on Instagram Live in the dressing room after Spain beat England 1-0.
The RFEF later issued a statement to the Spanish news agency EFE, quoting Hermoso as saying she had no problem with the “reciprocal gesture which was completely spontaneous due to the immense joy of winning the World Cup”.
In addition to Torres’ call, Rubiales was criticized in Spain by Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Minister of Culture and Sports Mikel Eseta.
The Spanish Players’ Union also called for action against Rubiales, while a major group representing Spanish club fans demanded his resignation. FC Sant’Andrew, based in Barcelona, was the first team to demand Rubiales’ resignation.
Meanwhile, USWNT forward Megan Rapinoe described the Hermoso incident as reflecting “a deep level of misogyny and sexism.”
What can happen at the meeting of the Spanish Football Federation?
Analysis by Spanish football expert Dermot Corrigan
Under the laws of the Spanish Football Federation, a motion of censure can be brought against its president.
Such proposals require the support of at least a third of the federation’s 140-member general assembly, which includes representatives from regional federations, professional clubs, professional players, coaches, youth football and referees. This would call a meeting of all 140 members, where a majority vote would impeach the president.
However, RFEF regulations also state that such motions cannot be taken during the last 18 months of the presidency, meaning Rubiales cannot be challenged in this way given that his term ends in the summer of 2024.
(Photo: Ryan Pearce/Getty Images)
