Luis Rubiales
president of the Spanish Football Association
is being slammed by major foreign media after kissing a player from his country in a surprise manner after winning the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Spanish women’s football team beat England 20-1 in the final of the tournament at Stadium Australia in Sydney
Australia
on Oct. 0 to win their first-ever title.
During the awards ceremony immediately after the game
Rubiales hugged midfielder Henifer Hermoso on the podium
holding his face with his hands and kissing him.
Later
a video of Hermoso laughing at a question about a live event in the locker room on Instagram but revealing that he “didn’t feel good” was shared on social media such as X (formerly Twitter) and caused a stir.
In another Instagram Live video posted by striker Salma Parayuello 먹튀검증
President Rubiales came to the locker room and joked with him.
A jubilant Rubiales said the association would take the squad to their home resort island of Ibiza.
Then he and Hermoso, who was standing next to him
said that the wedding would be held there
and then he laughed and applauded.
In response
the players shouted
“Ibiza! Ibiza!” I rejoiced in the chorus.
As the controversy grew
Hermoso
through the Spanish Football Federation
slammed Rubiales
saying it was “an expression of intimacy
according to AFP news agency.
Winning the World Cup brought me a lot of joy and it was a natural move
Hermoso said
adding that he has no problem with his relationship with the president.
President Rubiales also said in an interview with Radio Marca:
Kissing Hermoso? Everybody talks stupid
he said
explaining that he didn’t mean anything.
However
Spain’s leading daily newspaper El País reported that ‘Hermoso did not like Rubiales’ kiss.
So are we,’ setting up a day of criticism.
“The president of the Spanish Football Association can say that it was a misunderstanding
but suddenly kissing (someone else’s) mouth is an ‘attack
El País said, adding:
The ‘thief kiss’ doesn’t always come as a surprise and a pleasant surprise.
On the contrary, it is an infringement.”
The New York Times
a leading U.S. daily
went one step further and linked Chairman Rubiales’ actions to a more structural issue of gender discrimination.
It’s reminiscent of the nasty sexist behavior that has plagued women’s football
the New York Times wrote
pointing to the “dark history
of the Spanish women’s national team.
This is a reference to coach Ignacio Kereda
who has been in charge of the Spanish women’s national team since 1988.
After a backlash from players accusing them of treating them as “young women” rather than mature adults
Kereda was expelled in 2015.
Rubiales has been at the center of several controversies surrounding the Spanish women’s national team.
In September last year, 9 of Spain’s leading players suddenly protested against the current head coach
Jorge Bilda’s coaching style
saying it was coercive, and announced their intention to boycott.
Despite the players’ opposition
it was Rubiales who showed unwavering trust in Bilda.
With the support of the association
Bilda eventually left 15 players out of the squad
but he led the team to victory.
On the other hand
President Rubiales has emphasized his support for female athletes in public appearances.
In an interview with Yonhap News Agency during his visit to South Korea in March
he said, “I want the women’s team to be the best in the world in 12-3.
We are also supporting the medical staff and other staff at the same level as the men’s team,” he said, adding, “The goal of Spanish football is for the men’s and women’s national teams to move forward side by side without feeling discriminated against.”