Outrage in Spain after soccer president kisses female player at Women’s World Cup gala: NPR

The president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, has come under fire for kissing Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth during the medal ceremony following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday in Sydney.

Noe Llamas/SPP/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

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Noe Llamas/SPP/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

The president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, has come under fire for kissing Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth during the medal ceremony following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday in Sydney.

Noe Llamas/SPP/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

Spain just won their first-ever Women’s World Cup, and celebrated with a huge party in Madrid on Monday. But the joy of victory was tempered by what happened during the medal ceremony: the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation blows a kiss on the lips of a Spanish player.

Now, the federation’s president, Luis Rubiales, is under heavy criticism, including by Spain’s acting prime minister, Pedro Sanchez.

“It was an unacceptable gesture and Mr. Rubiales’ apologies are not enough; they are not even appropriate. Therefore, he must continue to take steps to clarify what we saw,” Sanchez told a news conference on Tuesday. According to a Spanish newspaper El Pais.

Acting Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz said: “We continue to demand the resignation of the man who harassed and assaulted a woman. His excuses are useless.” According to the newspaper. “This person should resign.”

Anger follows a moment seen live all over the world. During the championship medals ceremony on Sunday in Sydney, the Spanish team collected their medals and walked across the receiving line featuring Rubiales. He also received co-star Jennifer HermosoRubiales hugged Hermoso tightly, then pulled her head towards his face and kissed her hard on the lips. During the procession, Rubiales kissed several other players on the cheek and hugged them tightly, lifting them off the ground as he hugged them.

in Live broadcast of the team celebration In the dressing room after the match, Hermoso said, “I didn’t like it.” As she is shown a video or photo of the kiss, she says, “What am I doing? Look at me, look at me.”

Rubiales was also in the dressing room, announcing to the team that they were all going to Ibiza, then saying: “There we will celebrate the wedding of Jenny and Rubiales”. Rubiales later showed the video Make a crotch grab gesture In the stands after winning, a few meters away from the Queen of Spain.

On Monday, the federation released a video of Rubiales making a supposed apology for his actions, which it described as “very spontaneous” and “a moment of maximum emotion without any ill intent”.

“I have to apologize, there is no other choice, right?” Rubiales says in the video. He added, “Moreover, learn from this and understand that when you are the president of an important institution like the federation, you have to be more careful, especially in ceremonies.”

Rubiales has been described by his critics as “stupid”.

Spanish news site Relevo reported and that Rubiales tried to convince Hermoso to appear with him in an apology video, but she refused.

In a statement sent by the federation to the Spanish news agency EFE, Hermoso downplayed the importance of Rubiales’ kiss.

“It was a completely spontaneous mutual gesture, born out of the great joy of winning the World Cup,” its statement read. According to Reuters. He added, “The president and I have a wonderful relationship, and his behavior with all of us has always been a 10 (out of 10). This was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.”

Spain’s Minister of Culture and Sports, Mikel Eseta, rebuked Rubiales on Monday.

“It seems unacceptable to me,” Isita told RNE radio. As reported by ESPN. He added, “We are in a moment of equality, rights and respect for women. We all have to be particularly careful in our attitudes and actions. I think it is unacceptable to kiss a female player’s lips to congratulate her.”

The prime minister’s public criticism of Rubiales followed a reception where footballers were congratulated.

“The players did everything to win. But there were some behaviours, like that of Mr. Rubiales, that show that in our country there is still a long way to go in terms of equality, respect, and equal rights.” “Rights are between women and men,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said it was not up to him whether Rubiales would keep his job or not, because the Spanish Football Federation is not under government control. reportsBut the leader noted that Rubiales “has not yet been clear and convincing in his apologies.”

A spokesman for the Spanish People’s Party described Rubiales’ position as “embarrassing” and said that “all corporate directors have a duty to be exemplary”.

A complaint was filed with the National Sports Council against Rubiales by Miguel Galán, who leads a national facility that trains soccer coaches. Guardian reports. The complaint reportedly calls for disciplinary action against Rubiales, calling the kiss “a sexual act and unacceptable in sport”, arguing that it violated Spanish law. Prevent sexism in sport.

Spain’s road to the World Cup was already marred by complaints from players about their working conditions and their coach, Jorge Vilda. Fifteen players are regulars at the national level The team refused to play under Vilda; All three eventually made it back to the team and were part of its victory.