Jenni Hermoso has asserted that she did not provide consent for a kiss from Spanish football president Luis Rubiales after the women’s World Cup final, according to reports. Numerous members of the Spanish Women’s national team announced that they would refrain from playing any matches for the country until soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales is removed from his position due to a scandal involving the kiss. Rubiales declined to resign earlier, sparking anger among players and government ministers who condemned his actions as unacceptable misogynistic behavior. A total of 56 players, including Hermoso and the entire cup-winning squad, signed a joint statement through their FUTPRO union demanding the removal of the federation leadership. According to the BBC, Hermoso did not consent to the kiss.
In the wake of Rubiales’ announcement that he would not step down as the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the president of Spain’s Women’s Football Committee, Rafael del Amo, resigned. Rubiales’ decision led to turmoil within the Spanish national team’s camp, with calls for his resignation following the incident of him kissing Jennifer Hermoso during the medal presentation ceremony at the World Cup final and his alleged inappropriate behavior near the Spanish queen and her daughter. Rubiales, in a defiant speech, blamed ‘false feminism’ for the perceived persecution against him.
Several players, including Alexia Putellas, Cata Coll, Aitana Bonmati, and Irene Paredes, expressed their support for Hermoso and voiced their concerns publicly. Players are reportedly preparing a group statement to renew their call for Rubiales to step down. The controversy has also led to Borja Iglesias, a men’s national team striker, quitting in protest while Rubiales remains in his post.
Rubiales, who earns £214,000-a-year as a UEFA vice-president, is facing disciplinary proceedings by FIFA under Article 13 of their code of conduct for ‘offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play.’ Despite mounting pressure, he has refused to resign, and UEFA has not commented on his actions despite his high rank in the organization.
The situation has prompted condemnation from various organizations within Spanish football, including FUTPRO, Liga F (the women’s football league), and Miguel Ángel Galán, who filed a complaint alleging Rubiales’ actions constituted sexual assault. Rubiales, in his defense, claimed the kiss was spontaneous, mutual, and consensual. He also expressed regret for his actions and blamed ‘false feminism’ for the backlash against him.
The controversy surrounding Rubiales has created significant turmoil within Spanish football and sparked debates about gender equality and appropriate behavior within sports
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